How to Register for the 2027 Chicago Marathon: My Experience, Costs, and Money-Saving Tips

Running the Chicago Marathon is an incredible experience, but it also comes with a financial commitment we often overlook when signing up.

On October 11, 2026, I ran the Chicago Marathon, and without exaggeration, it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Behind those 26.2 miles were nearly 10 months of physical preparation, changes to my diet, personal sacrifices, and a significant financial investment.

Because let’s be honest: running an international marathon involves more than training. It also means buying flights, booking accommodations, arranging transportation, and planning for expenses that can easily push us over budget.

That’s why I decided to write this article. I want to share my experience and all the things I wish I’d known before traveling to Chicago.

If you’re thinking about running the 2027 Chicago Marathon, you’ll find tips here to help you apply, organize your trip, and, especially, avoid unnecessary expenses.

🏃‍♂️ How to Register for the 2027 Chicago Marathon

The first thing you should know is that the Chicago Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series featuring some of the world’s most renowned races.

One way to secure a spot is through the official drawing, which is also open to international runners.

• October 8, 2026: Applications open.
• October 29, 2026: Applications close at 2:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time.
• December 8, 2026: Drawing results are announced by email.
• December 15, 2026: Payment deadline for selected applicants.
• October 10, 2027: Chicago Marathon race day.

You can apply directly through the official Chicago Marathon website.

How Much Does It Cost to Register?

For the 2027 race, general entry fees are:

• U.S. residents: $250 USD.
• International runners: $260 USD.
• An additional processing fee applies.

Entering the drawing is free. If you’re selected, you’ll need to complete your payment by the deadline to secure your spot.

This may seem obvious, but it’s one of the first tips I want to share.

Before entering the drawing, make sure you’ve set aside the $260 entry fee and have a realistic budget for the rest of the trip.

Getting a spot is exciting, but remember that the entry fee is nonrefundable under the event’s general terms.

📍Travel tip: Set aside your entry fee now. If you’re lucky enough to be selected, you won’t have to scramble for the money at the last minute.

Are There Other Ways to Secure a Spot?

Yes! In addition to the drawing, the Chicago Marathon offers several guaranteed entry options, including:

• Meeting the qualifying times set by the organizers.
• Running for an official charity and meeting its fundraising requirements.
• Booking a package through an authorized tour operator.
• Meeting other guaranteed entry criteria established by the event.

These options have different requirements and costs, so I recommend checking the official website directly.

🏨Book Your Accommodations Early

If there’s one thing I learned from this trip, it’s that accommodations can become one of your biggest marathon expenses.

Chicago welcomes tens of thousands of runners, along with family members, supporters, and tourists who take the opportunity to explore the city.

As you can imagine, hotel demand during those dates is enormous.

In my case, I spent approximately $1,500 USD on a four-day stay.

Yes, just on accommodations!

So, if you’re planning to participate in 2027, I recommend looking for options before you even receive your drawing result.

Should You Book Before You’re Selected?

My recommendation is to book early, as long as you find a hotel with free cancellation and a cancellation deadline that gives you enough time after the drawing results are announced.

This allows you to secure a rate that fits your budget while keeping the option to cancel.

📍 Travel tip: Don’t focus only on the distance between your hotel and the marathon start. Look for accommodations near CTA stations, too. You may find more affordable options with convenient transportation on race day.

✈️ Track Flight Prices and Save Money

Another expense to consider is airfare.

Flights around Chicago Marathon weekend can become considerably more expensive because of demand.

I recommend starting to track prices several months in advance.

Two tools I find very useful are:

• Google Flights
• Skyscanner

Both let you compare routes, explore different dates, and find alternatives that could help you save.

My Experience Flying from Mexico City

Here’s one of my best travel tips.

Instead of booking a nonstop flight, I decided to look for an option with a layover.

My route was Mexico City–Miami–Chicago.

The result?

I found a round-trip flight for approximately $300 USD.

The price difference can be significant if you have some flexibility with departure times and connections.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll always find a similar fare, but it’s well worth comparing your options.

📍 Travel tip: Consider connecting flights, but leave enough time between connections. Also check immigration requirements, baggage policies, and any additional charges before booking.

🚆 Getting Around Chicago by Public Transportation

One of the things I enjoyed most about Chicago was how easy it was to get around using public transportation.

During marathon weekend, downtown Chicago, especially the area known as the Loop, can get very crowded.

There are also temporary street closures for the race.

That’s why I recommend using the city’s trains and buses whenever possible.

CTA: Trains and Buses

The CTA system serves different parts of Chicago through its train and bus network.

It’s a great option for getting downtown, visiting attractions, and traveling around during your stay.

For reference, the published price of a three-day CTA pass is $15 USD, although you should check availability and current fares for 2027.

Metra: Another Way to Get Around

I also used Metra, a rail system connecting downtown with different parts of the Chicago region.

On one of my trips related to the marathon expo, I boarded a train with very few passengers.

It was a comfortable option worth considering, depending on where you’re staying.

Metra fares vary by route and ticket type.

📍 Travel tip: Before traveling, download the Ventra app and check the transit routes near your accommodations. It will help you plan your trips and reduce transportation costs.

🍝 Nutrition: Get Ready for the Big Day

Nutrition was an important part of my preparation.

For nearly 10 months, I had to change my habits and become more mindful of how I fueled my training.

And while physical preparation begins long before race day, the days leading up to the marathon matter, too.

What to Eat Before the Chicago Marathon

Something I found interesting was that some hotels offer food options geared toward runners around marathon weekend.

Some of the options you may find include:

• Pasta.
• Yogurt.
• Fruit.
• Bread and other carbohydrate-rich foods.

However, my recommendation is to avoid experimenting with food before the race.

Every runner has different needs, so it’s best to follow a nutrition and hydration strategy you’ve already practiced, ideally with guidance from a sports nutrition professional.

📍 Travel tip: Before booking, ask whether your hotel offers an early breakfast on race day or whether you’ll have access to familiar foods that have worked well during training.

💪 Train to Enjoy the Race, Not Just to Finish

Here, I want to share something I consider more important than any advice about flights, hotels, or transportation.

Don’t underestimate the marathon distance.

In my case, it took nearly 10 months of physical preparation to reach the starting line in Chicago.

Those months required discipline, consistency, and significant lifestyle changes.

If you’ve never participated in endurance sports, I recommend starting well in advance and seeking guidance from a coach or sports health professional.

If you already have experience running half marathons, you can follow a marathon-specific training plan tailored to your fitness level and goals.

There’s no set number of months that guarantees you’ll be ready. Everyone starts with a different fitness foundation and adapts at their own pace.

One thing I learned is that arriving well prepared makes an enormous difference to the experience.

Because running a Major shouldn’t be only about chasing a time.

It’s also about enjoying the city, hearing people cheer you on along the course, and experiencing the excitement of taking part in an international event.

My best advice is to arrive prepared to enjoy every mile while respecting your limits.

One of my main reasons for writing this article was to share the actual costs of my experience.

Here are some of my trip expenses, alongside reference prices for planning a 2027 visit.

Item

Approximate cost

Round-trip flight from Mexico City to Chicago, with a layover

$300 USD

Four-day hotel stay

$1,500 USD

Three-day CTA transit pass (reference price)

$15 USD

2027 international entry fee (official rate)

$260 USD

Reference total

$2,075 USD

This total combines expenses from my trip with reference fees for 2027. It does not include meals, personal purchases, additional transportation, processing fees, or other preparation costs.

It isn’t a final budget, but it can help you get a sense of how much money you’ll need to make this experience happen.

📍 Travel tip: Organize your budget before the drawing. Break your expenses down into entry fees, flights, accommodations, food, transportation, and an emergency fund.

There are moments in life you know you’ll remember forever. For me, one of them was crossing the finish line at the Chicago Marathon.

After nearly 10 months of preparation, sacrifices, training, and countless miles, I was finally there.

And the most incredible thing is thinking about how it all began.

My running journey started with a video I watched on YouTube.

It was that simple. One day, I discovered the sport, decided to give it a try, and never looked back.

📍 What started as a hobby became one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.

🏅 Crossing the Finish Line: So Much More Than 42 Kilometers

Crossing the finish line in Chicago brought me more than the happiness of finishing a marathon. I felt something much bigger: I realized how much I could accomplish when I truly set my mind to something.

It’s hard to explain that mix of emotion, pride, and satisfaction. In that moment, every training session and every sacrifice had been worth it.

So, if you’re thinking about running the 2027 Chicago Marathon, there’s something I want to tell you:

Whether you’re just starting to run or already have plenty of miles behind you, what matters is taking that first step, preparing patiently, and enjoying the journey.

Because, in the end, those 26.2 miles are only part of the story. What makes it truly special is everything you learn and experience along the way.

See you on the next adventure. 🌎

Claudio Moreno