Non-Guaranteed Registration for the 2018 Marathon Just Opened, Here's What You Need to Know

Today marks the opening of the marathon registration for the 2018 race. Guaranteed entry opened last Tuesday on October 24th but non-guaranteed registration opened today at 10 a.m. and both will stay open until registration closes on Thursday, November 30th at 2 p.m.

What is guaranteed entry?

• Time qualifiers who have met the event's age graded qualifying standards or qualify for the event's American Development Program.
• Legacy finishers who have completed the Chicago Marathon five or more times within the last 10 years.
• Runners who cancelled their 2017 entry through the event deferment opportunity.
• Charity runners who are fundraising for an official charity as part of the Charity Program.
• International runners (non-U.S.) participating in the official International Tour Group Program.
• Runners who have completed the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K four or more times since 2008 and have signed up for the 2018 Shamrock Shuffle.

Runners who do not qualify for a guaranteed entry can apply for the non-guaranteed entry drawing. The event will select names from the full pool of non-guaranteed entry applicants and notify runners of their selection status on Tuesday, December 12, 2017.

What is non-guaranteed entry?

Non-guaranteed entry is the lottery. It is what the majority of applicants use to register. Runners who do not qualify for a guaranteed entry can apply for the non-guaranteed entry drawing.

Registration fee

• U.S. residents (those who live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories): $195 (USD)
• Non-U.S. residents: $220 (USD)

You will be asked to provide credit card information as a part of the application process. Your credit card will be charged when and if your application is approved or selected through drawing. When completing the application please use a credit card that has an expiration date later than December 2017.

Event requirements

• Participants must be 16 years or older on race day.
• Participants 16-17 years of age must have permission from their parent or legal guardian permitting them to participate in the race. This permission is given during the application process.
• The Bank of America Chicago Marathon requires that participants be able to complete the 26.2 mile distance in six hours and 30 minutes (6:30:59). The marathon course will reopen for public use on a rolling schedule based on this time limit.
• The sale and/or transfer of race entries/bib numbers is strictly prohibited.
• All registration fees and ancillary purchases are nonrefundable.
• All participants are required to pick up their own participant packet (bib number and timing device) at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo during the scheduled hours of operation on Friday, October 5 or Saturday, October 6.
• All participants are required to show a government-issued photo ID upon picking up their own participant packet.
• All participants must be familiar with and abide by the event rules.

While getting a head start on registration does not help your chances in the lottery, it does relieve some stress by getting it out of the way. May the running gods be with you.