Tens of thousands of runners stepped off for the 47th Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday morning.
More than 50,000 athletes from all 50 states and 100 countries are taking a 26.2-mile tour of Chicago.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
It all started at 7:30 a.m. in Grant Park, right by the Art Institute.
It was a record-breaker for several runners in this year’s Chicago Marathon. The American time that’s held in Chicago for more 20 years has now been surpassed.
SEE ALSO | Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2025: Full list of street closures in Grant Park area
There was a well-deserved victory lap after clinching the 47th Bank of America Chicago Marathon. It was only the second career marathon that overall men’s winner Jacob Kiplimo has ever competed in, and he nearly broke the world record. His new time now leads in his home country of Uganda.
“I didn’t know that I was inside the world record, but for me, I was just keeping the pace to finish it, as well,” Kiplimo said.
Hawi Feysa is the first Ethiopian woman to win in Chicago since 2017, and it’s her first major marathon title, beating her time last year by two minutes.
Runners spent time in 29 of Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods, with at least 1 million people expected to line the race route.
“So much energy and love here in the community, it just pushes you all the way through to the finish line,” runner Henry Norris said.
The Chicago Marathon also helps to raise millions of dollars each year for nonprofits, while nearly $700 million dollars is raised for the race’s host city.
“Just about every city agency is involved in this; our retailers, our local retailers, the residents. Everybody’s on board, so an amazing team effort,” Bank of America Chicago Marathon executive director Carey Pinkowski
It was a record-breaker for the top U.S. runners, too. Connor Mantz trampled over the men’s American time that has stood for more than two decades in Chicago, also becoming the fastest men’s marathoner in U.S. history.
“So, having it slowly in my mind and eventually hit the goal, it feels really good,” Mantz said. “I have been eyeing this record for a very long time, and maybe when it was an unrealistic goal, I think it has always been on my mind. So, having it slowly in my mind and eventually hit the goal, it feels really good.”
