We don’t have betting odds for the Chicago Marathon just yet, but they should be available soon, as the 2026 edition is almost here! Some of the world’s best distance runners are preparing to race through the Windy City on Sunday, October 11. Who will win the men’s and women’s contests this year?
Below, I’ll break down the 2026 Chicago Marathon route, weather, and top contenders before making my Chicago Marathon betting predictions for the men’s and women’s races.
- Chicago Marathon Route
- Chicago Marathon Betting Favorites
- Chicago Marathon Weather Predictions
- Chicago Marathon by the Numbers
- Chicago Marathon Previous Winners
- Chicago Marathon Betting Predictions
The odds for the Chicago Marathon will likely be available at Bovada. This book has had World Marathon Majors betting odds on both the men’s and women’s races a day or two before the event.
We will update this post once 2026 Chicago Marathon odds are available.
Chicago Marathon 2026 Route
The 2026 Chicago Marathon will once again cover the standard 26.2 miles, starting and finishing in Grant Park. The course takes runners through 29 Chicago neighborhoods and remains one of the fastest major marathon routes in the world.
The Chicago Marathon route will go through 29 neighborhoods in the city, including:
- The Loop
- River North
- Old Town Triangle
- Lincoln Park
- Lake View East
- Wrigleyville
- Park West
- Chinatown
- Greektown
There is one notable adjustment to the route in 2026. Early in the race, runners will travel one block farther west and turn onto Dearborn Street instead of State Street. That means the course will no longer take runners directly past the Chicago Theatre at roughly the two-kilometer mark.
Otherwise, the characteristics that make Chicago famous remain intact. This is an extremely flat course with long stretches where elite runners can settle into a fast rhythm.
That speed has helped Chicago produce seven world records, along with numerous national records and personal bests. It’s also important to consider when looking at Chicago Marathon betting odds, as runners who thrive on fast, flat courses should have an advantage.
Favorites for the 2026 Chicago Marathon
Let’s take a look at the most likely winners in the Chicago Marathon men’s and women’s races for 2026.
Men’s Favorites
Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda)
Kiplimo enters as the leading contender after winning the 2025 Chicago Marathon in just his second attempt at the distance.
The Ugandan ran 2:02:23 last year, pulling away from the field and recording the second-fastest time in Chicago Marathon history at the time.
He has only gotten faster since.
World Record Watch in Chicago 👀📈
Jacob Kiplimo will lead the charge, with a scorching hot resume in 2026. Can he lead the field next Sunday? Is an American Record in the cards?
🎥 Australian, British, Irish and Canadian audiences can watch LIVE on FloTrack
FloTrack’s #ChicagoMarathon coverage is presented by @saucony
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) September 30, 2026
Kiplimo finished third at the 2026 London Marathon in 2:00:28, making him the third-fastest marathoner in history entering Chicago.
His combination of elite track speed, half-marathon ability, and rapidly improving marathon experience makes him the clear favorite for me. If you’re evaluating the Chicago Marathon odds, Kiplimo is the first runner I would consider on the men’s side.
Amos Kipruto (Kenya)
If anyone can push Kiplimo, Amos Kipruto is a strong candidate. He finished directly behind him in Chicago last year, taking second in 2:03:54. He has since lowered his marathon personal best to 2:01:39, giving him the second-fastest PB in this year’s elite field.
That makes Kipruto especially dangerous. He already knows how to race this course and has proven that he can stay near Kiplimo deep into a marathon.
If Kiplimo struggles late, Kipruto could be the runner waiting to take advantage. He should be one of the leading names in any Chicago Marathon betting odds discussion.
Milkesa Mengesha (Ethiopia)
Milkesa Mengesha gives Ethiopia another legitimate chance at a men’s Chicago title. He owns a personal best of 2:03:17, which he recorded in Berlin in 2024. That makes him one of only four runners in the 2026 Chicago field with a listed personal best under 2:03:30.
He may not have the raw times of Kiplimo or Kipruto, but his speed is good enough to contend if the favorites turn this into a more tactical race.
Mengesha looks like the biggest threat outside the top two and could be an interesting alternative for anyone considering their Chicago Marathon betting picks.
Women’s Favorites
Next, let’s look at the top Chicago Marathon betting favorites for the Women’s Elite Division!
It should be noted that Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya won’t race. She was suspended in July 2025 for testing positive for a banned substance. Chepngetich is a three-time winner in Chicago, coming in first in 2021, 2022, and 2024. She will be eligible to return for the 2028 race.
Hawi Feysa (Ethiopia)
Feysa returns to Chicago after producing the biggest marathon performance of her career here last year. The Ethiopian broke away around mile 18 and won the 2025 race in 2:14:56, lowering her personal best by more than two minutes.
5th of all time 😤
🇪🇹‘s Hawi Feysa storms to victory at the @ChiMarathon marathon in 2:14:56, becoming the fifth fastest woman in history 🤯
Her compatriot Megertu Alemu finishes in second for a 1-2 Ethiopian finish ✨ https://t.co/QJc83M47iL
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 12, 2025
That experience matters. Feysa has already proven she can handle Chicago’s fast course, and she knows exactly when to make her move.
She now enters the 2026 race as the defending champion and one of the fastest women in the field. That should put Feysa near the top of the Chicago Marathon odds for the women’s race.
Brigid Kosgei (Kenya)
You can never overlook Brigid Kosgei in Chicago. She won this race in 2018 and 2019, with her 2019 victory producing a then-world-record time of 2:14:04. That remains the fastest personal best of anyone in the 2026 women’s field. Kosgei also won the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year.
She has plenty of experience racing at the highest level and knows the Chicago course as well as almost anyone.
Kosgei may no longer be the automatic favorite she once was, but her combination of experience, speed, and previous success here makes her a serious contender when evaluating the Chicago Marathon betting odds.
Sutume Kebede (Ethiopia)
Sutume Kebede is another elite Ethiopian who’s coming for the victory. Kebede enters with a personal best of 2:15:55, set at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon. Only Kosgei and Feysa have faster listed PBs among the women racing in Chicago this year.
She has the speed to remain with the leaders if the race starts aggressively, and Chicago’s flat layout should suit her.
Kebede might not receive as much attention as the two former Chicago champions, but she belongs firmly among the top Chicago Marathon betting contenders.
Chicago Marathon Weather Predictions for 2026
Weather always plays an important role in marathon running, and conditions can have a major impact on both the winning time and how the race unfolds.
Warmer temperatures make it more difficult for runners to maintain an aggressive pace over 26.2 miles. Cooler conditions with limited wind, on the other hand, could set the stage for another extremely fast Chicago Marathon.
Currently, it’s slated to be cloudy with showers in the morning in Chicago on Sunday. The city could see the remnants of a tropical storm over the weekend.
That’s something worth considering before making any Chicago Marathon betting predictions!
Chicago Marathon by the Numbers
Let’s take a look at the 2026 Chicago Marathon key stats, as I dig into the numbers for this race on October 11.
- Over 55,000 people are expected to participate in the 2026 Chicago Marathon, which is a record.
- The course covers 26.2 miles and travels through 29 Chicago neighborhoods.
- The Chicago course has produced seven world records.
- Jacob Kiplimo won the 2025 men’s race in 2:02:23.
- Hawi Feysa won the 2025 women’s race in 2:14:56.
- More than 54,000 runners competed in the 2025 event.
- Kiplimo enters the 2026 race with a 2:00:28 personal best.
- Brigid Kosgei has won the Chicago Marathon twice, in 2018 and 2019.
- Khalid Khannouchi has the most Chicago victories in the men’s race with four.
Chicago Marathon Previous Winners
Past Men’s Winners
| YEAR | RUNNER | COUNTRY | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jacob Kipruto | Uganda | 2:02:23 |
| 2024 | John Korir | Kenya | 2:02:43 |
| 2023 | Kelvin Kiptum | Kenya | 2:00:35 (World Record) |
| 2022 | Benson Kipruto | Kenya | 2:04:24 |
| 2021 | Seifu Tura | Ethiopia | 2:06:12 |
| 2020 | CANCELLED | DUE TO | PANDEMIC |
| 2019 | Lawrence Cherono | Kenya | 2:05:45 |
| 2018 | Mo Farah | United Kingdom | 2:05:11 |
| 2017 | Galen Rupp | United States | 2:09:20 |
| 2016 | Abel Kirui | Kenya | 2:11:23 |
| 2015 | Dickson Chumba | Kenya | 2:09:25 |
| 2014 | Eliud Kipchoge | Kenya | 2:04:11 |
| 2013 | Dennis Kimetto | Kenya | 2:03:45 |
Past Women’s Winners
| YEAR | RUNNER | COUNTRY | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Hawi Feysa | Ethiopia | 2:14:56 |
| 2024 | Ruth Chepngetich | Kenya | 2:09:56 (World Record) |
| 2023 | Sifan Hassan | Netherlands | 2:13:44 |
| 2022 | Ruth Chepngetich | Kenya | 2:14:18 |
| 2021 | Ruth Chepngetich | Kenya | 2:22:31 |
| 2020 | CANCELLED | DUE TO | PANDEMIC |
| 2019 | Brigid Kosgei | Kenya | 2:14:04 |
| 2018 | Brigid Kosgei | Kenya | 2:18:35 |
| 2017 | Tirunesh Dibaba | Ethiopia | 2:18:31 |
| 2016 | Florence Kiplagat | Kenya | 2:21:32 |
| 2015 | Florence Kiplagat | Kenya | 2:23:33 |
| 2014 | Mare Dibaba | Ethiopia | 2:25:37 |
| 2013 | Rita Jeptoo | Kenya | 2:19:57 |
Chicago Marathon 2026 Predictions
On the men’s side, Jacob Kiplimo is my Chicago Marathon betting pick to repeat as champion.
He dominated this race last year and has since improved his personal best from 2:02:23 to 2:00:28. Kipruto should provide a serious challenge, but Kiplimo’s combination of speed, familiarity with the course, and recent form makes him difficult to pick against.
The women’s race looks much closer, which could make the Chicago Marathon betting odds particularly interesting.
Kosgei has the fastest career time and tremendous Chicago experience, while Kebede has the talent to challenge both former champions. However, I’m backing Hawi Feysa to win her second straight Chicago Marathon.
Feysa didn’t just win here last year. She ran 2:14:56 and separated herself from the field late in the race. At 27, she should still be right in her prime, and another year of experience could make her even tougher to beat.
Where to Bet on the Chicago Marathon?
The Chicago Marathon betting odds should be available at Bovada, for both the men’s and women’s races. New customers can claim a welcome bonus of 50% up to $250!
Welcome Bonus
50% up to $250
- Wide-ranging sportsbook and live betting platform
- Top-notch poker room with numerous tournaments
- Impressive casino with 500+ slots and live tables
You must be logged in to comment. Don't have an account? Sign up today.