The 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon did more than pack Grant Park and clog up traffic. Organizers say it pumped a staggering $756 million into the Chicago metropolitan economy, leaping more than 7.5% from the $683 million reported for 2024. The October race drew nearly 56,000 people and, organizers added, supported thousands of jobs while setting a fundraising record for charity teams. All that cash shows how a single fall weekend can ripple through hotels, restaurants and small businesses across the city.
According to CBS Chicago, organizers said an independent Jones & Associates Economics study counted nearly 56,000 attendees and estimated that about 75% came from outside Illinois. The study also estimated the event supported more than 5,100 full-time equivalent jobs, and organizers said charity runners raised a record $47.1 million for more than 200 nonprofits.
Where the Money Went
Lodging, food and retail took the biggest slices of race-weekend spending. As detailed in Bank of America, the 2024 race generated more than $177 million in direct tourism activity, and organizers say the 2025 edition amplified those flows. The bootstrap effect stretches well beyond hotels, as vendors, transit systems and gig workers also report a noticeable uptick around marathon weekend.
Charity Haul and Jobs
The marathon’s charity engine also hit a new high. In a Dec. 11, 2025 press release, organizers said 2025 participants raised $47.1 million for local, national and global nonprofits. In that announcement, Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski said, "We are awed by the incredible fundraising put forth by last year’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity participants," praising the field’s charitable efforts. City officials and business groups have pointed to the jobs estimate as evidence that the race weekend drives real hiring and wage gains in hospitality sectors.
What It Means for Chicago's Calendar
According to CBS Chicago, the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon is slated for Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, with the start and finish in Grant Park. That locked-in date, backed by headline economic numbers, gives hoteliers and restaurateurs a predictable target to staff up and plan promotions for another high-impact weekend, while city tourism leaders lean on the event to sell Chicago as a major events destination.
Record-breaking 2025 race coverage captured last year’s performances and earlier estimates, but the organizers' new totals offer a clearer accounting of the marathon’s scale and an extra nudge for planners already mapping out fall promotions. For local businesses that bank on event weekends, the math is straightforward: more visitors mean more revenue, and another busy October to prepare for.
