Chicago Marathon: Elevation Profile, Course Map & Pace Calculator
A flat, grid-aligned loop starting and finishing in Grant Park, run since 1977. Wide streets, few turns, and reliable autumn weather have produced four world records. Brigid Kosgei broke the women's mark here in 2019 with 2:14:04. About 52,000 runners take part.
The Chicago Marathon is exceptionally flat and fast — rated 1/5 on our difficulty scale. Over the official 42.195 km (26.2 mi) the course gains about 230 ft (70 m) and loses 230 ft (70 m), with roughly level start to finish. Grade-adjusted pace says the toughest stretch arrives at kilometre 28 (near mile 17.5), demanding about 2% more effort than the same distance on flat ground.
Course stats
| Distance | 26.2 mi (42.195 km) |
|---|---|
| Location | Chicago, IL, USA |
| Total ascent | 230 ft (70 m) |
| Total descent | 230 ft (70 m) |
| Net elevation | +3 ft (+1 m) |
| Steepest grade | 2.7% |
| Difficulty | 1/5 |
| Field size | ≈52,000 runners |
| Race day | Second Sunday of October |
Mile-by-mile splits (grade-adjusted)
Grade-adjusted (GAP) splits for a 4:00:00 finish, computed from the course's elevation profile with the Minetti gradient-cost model: uphill miles get more time, downhills less, at even effort. Splits scale proportionally for any other goal time — the interactive pace calculator on this page computes them exactly.
| Mile | GAP pace /mi | GAP pace /km | Elev Δ | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:03 | 5:37 | -12 ft (-4 m) | 9:03 |
| 2 | 9:16 | 5:45 | +10 ft (+3 m) | 18:19 |
| 3 | 9:01 | 5:36 | -16 ft (-5 m) | 27:19 |
| 4 | 9:15 | 5:45 | +9 ft (+3 m) | 36:34 |
| 5 | 9:14 | 5:44 | +8 ft (+2 m) | 45:48 |
| 6 | 9:03 | 5:37 | -11 ft (-3 m) | 54:51 |
| 7 | 9:10 | 5:42 | +1 ft (0 m) | 1:04:00 |
| 8 | 9:10 | 5:42 | +2 ft (+1 m) | 1:13:11 |
| 9 | 9:10 | 5:42 | +2 ft (+1 m) | 1:22:21 |
| 10 | 9:14 | 5:44 | +8 ft (+3 m) | 1:31:35 |
| 11 | 9:07 | 5:40 | -5 ft (-1 m) | 1:40:42 |
| 12 | 9:06 | 5:39 | -5 ft (-2 m) | 1:49:48 |
| 13 | 9:04 | 5:38 | -10 ft (-3 m) | 1:58:51 |
| 14 | 9:15 | 5:45 | +9 ft (+3 m) | 2:08:06 |
| 15 | 9:12 | 5:43 | +5 ft (+2 m) | 2:17:19 |
| 16 | 9:04 | 5:38 | -9 ft (-3 m) | 2:26:23 |
| 17 | 9:12 | 5:43 | +4 ft (+1 m) | 2:35:35 |
| 18 | 9:11 | 5:42 | +2 ft (+1 m) | 2:44:45 |
| 19 | 9:09 | 5:41 | 0 ft (0 m) | 2:53:54 |
| 20 | 9:12 | 5:43 | +5 ft (+1 m) | 3:03:06 |
| 21 | 9:05 | 5:39 | -7 ft (-2 m) | 3:12:12 |
| 22 | 9:07 | 5:40 | -5 ft (-1 m) | 3:21:19 |
| 23 | 9:15 | 5:45 | +9 ft (+3 m) | 3:30:33 |
| 24 | 9:10 | 5:42 | +1 ft (0 m) | 3:39:43 |
| 25 | 9:06 | 5:39 | -7 ft (-2 m) | 3:48:49 |
| 26 | 9:13 | 5:44 | +7 ft (+2 m) | 3:58:02 |
| 26.2 | 8:58 | 5:34 | -4 ft (-1 m) | 4:00:00 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chicago Marathon flat or hilly?
The Chicago Marathon is exceptionally flat and fast (1/5 difficulty). Total ascent is about 230 ft (70 m) over 26.2 miles.
How much elevation gain does the Chicago Marathon have?
About 230 ft (70 m) of total ascent and 230 ft (70 m) of descent, for a net change of +3 ft (1 m). Figures come from a digital elevation model, so very flat courses can read 20–30 ft high.
What is the hardest part of the Chicago Marathon course?
Kilometre 28 (near mile 17.5) is the toughest split on the course by grade-adjusted effort. Grade-adjusted pace puts it at roughly 2% more effort than flat running.
When is the Chicago Marathon?
The Chicago Marathon is typically held on the second Sunday of October. The next edition is expected around October 11, 2026. Confirm the exact date on the official race website.
How many runners take part in the Chicago Marathon?
The field is roughly 52,000 runners.
What pace do I need to run the Chicago Marathon in my goal time?
At an even pace: 3:00:00 needs 6:52/mi (4:16/km); 3:30:00 needs 8:01/mi (4:59/km); 4:00:00 needs 9:09/mi (5:41/km); 4:30:00 needs 10:18/mi (6:24/km); 5:00:00 needs 11:27/mi (7:07/km); 5:30:00 needs 12:35/mi (7:49/km). On this course, grade-adjusted pacing shifts a few seconds per mile between uphill and downhill splits — the pace calculator on this page computes those splits for any goal time.
Plan your Chicago race
Marathons with a similar profile
- Mesa Marathon — 260 ft (80 m) ascent
- Chevron Houston Marathon — 270 ft (80 m) ascent
- Bayshore Marathon — 350 ft (110 m) ascent
- Toronto Marathon — 380 ft (120 m) ascent
Official race site: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/