2025 Chicago Marathon: Start time, course map, celebrities and possible ICE activity

Galen Rupp bids to defend his title in the 2025 Chicago Marathon this year that will feature two more former champions on the men’s side — 2016 champion Abel Kirui and 2015 winner Dickson Chumba — as well as UK running legend Mo Farah.

However, concerns over potential National Guard and ICE agent presence on the streets will undoubtedly have fans on edge, as Donald Trump continues his ‘war-torn’ rhetoric regarding the city.

Ahead of the event that will see 50,000 runners from over 100 countries descend onto the streets, here are some of the key questions surrounding the event, including whether or not the machine-gun-equipped officials are expected to be patrolling.

The Independent raised questions as to whether or not ICE agents would be stood on the route, with some runners said to be carrying their passports in their pouch in case of interception along the 26.2 mile route.

When is the Chicago Marathon?

The 2025 Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025. This annual event is held on the second Sunday of October each year.

What time does the Chicago Marathon start?

The start times for the Chicago Marathon are different depending on which wave the runner is placed in. Here’s the breakdown:

• Wheelchair Men Start - 7:20 a.m. CDT / 8:20 a.m. ET
• Wheelchair Women Start - 7:21 a.m. CDT / 8:21 a.m. ET
• Handcycle Start - 7:23 a.m. CDT / 8:23 a.m. ET
• Wave 1 - (Elite & Corrals A–E) 7:30 a.m. CDT / 8:30 a.m. ET
• Wave 2 - (Corrals F–J) 8:00 a.m. CDT / 9:00 a.m. ET
• Wave 3 - (Corrals K–N) - 8:35 a.m. CDT / 9:35 a.m. ET

The finish window is between 2:00–4:00 p.m. CDT, which is 3:00–5:00 p.m. ET.

Which celebrities are taking part in the Chicago Marathon?

• Justin Britt – Former NFL centre for the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans, running his first marathon after embracing running to cope with depression.
• Otis Hudson – Retired NFL guard who played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, participating in his first marathon.

Will ICE and the National Guard be at the 2025 Chicago Marathon?

On Sunday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker revealed that President Trump had ordered troops from the Texas National Guard to be sent to the state.

However, on Thursday, a judge temporarily blocked the National Guard deployment for two weeks, though ICE is still allowed to continue its operations.

Chicago Park District also issued a statement on the matter: “Contrary to a post circulating on social media, @ChicagoParks has NOT received any information nor has the District shared any guidance regarding ICE agents at the @chimarathon."

Various prominent figures have also had their say, with Democratic Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia of Illinois’s 4th District telling reporters that “ICE is not welcome to the Marathon. President Trump and Secretary Noem are creating dangerous and violent conditions by infiltrating peaceful and safe community spaces. Their motive is control and intimidation. To all my Chicagoans and our visitors, Chicago is a welcoming city that does not bow down to a want-to-be king."

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson told the press on Tuesday that: “We’ve gotten word that roughly 3,000 runners from Mexico have signed up for this marathon, and I want all of them to come. I believe the best way in which we can demonstrate resistance is not bending the knee to tyranny.”

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