The Chicago Marathon is back. Both the men’s and women’s world records were achieved in the Windy City. 683 million dollars of economic impact in 2024. Up 22% over 2023 and 76% over 2022. Protests against the Trump administration and immigration raids, an unknown in this edition. Thus the US major faces the race to 1 billion.
The Chicago Marathon celebrates its 47th edition this Sunday. In 2023 it was the scene of the men’s world record set by Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically died a few months later. In 2024 Ruth Chepngetich sealed the women’s world record. Away from the spotlight, nearly 5,000 people, with a combined salary of $229 million, work to continue to push the mark of this ‘major’.
The Marathon boosts its economic impact
An independent study by Jones & Associates Economics estimated the economic impact on the Chicago metropolitan area in 2024 at $683 million.
Participants and fans traveled to the Windy City from five continents.
The numbers make clear the vertical growth of this event.
In 2022, the impact of the Chicago Marathon was 386 million and in 2023, 559 million.
Bank of America is the main sponsor of the Marathon. Nike, Abbott, KIA, Gatorade and Hilton also support the U.S. major.
Chicago nears $1 billion
Chicago and Boston, venues for two of the Marathon’s six ‘big six,’ totaled a combined economic impact of $1.2 billion in 2024.
If the upward trend seen in recent years continues, the Windy City could soon break the 1 billion barrier.
If in recent years the Chicago Marathon was held in a festive atmosphere, this year there is more tension in the city, and not for sporting reasons.
Several thousand demonstrators gathered Wednesday in downtown Chicago in the area of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tower to protest the deployment of the National Guard, a decision made to shield federal agents in their immigration raids.
177 million tourism impact
Because this growth was achieved on the basis of significant economic investments.
In 2024, the race boosted 4,589 permanent jobs.
The tourism industry recorded more than $177 million in activity as a “direct consequence” of the Chicago Marathon.
“While the economic benefits of the race weekend are immense, the true essence of the marathon lies in the lasting community and competitive atmosphere it creates.”
Chicago Marathon executive director Carey Pinkowski said in a statement provided by the organizers.
“We are grateful for the tireless dedication of countless contributors who made last year’s race possible.”
“And we’re looking forward to seeing the athletes push themselves to new limits this year,” he added.
More than one million live the passion
Each year, more than one million people follow the Marathon in Chicago’s 29 neighborhoods.
The number of U.S. participants and fans, excluding Illinois and Mid-West area residents, increased by 130% over 2023.
This led to significant spending on hotels and restaurants, among other commercial activities.
In addition, the more than 50,000 runners who competed in Chicago helped raise a record $36 million donated to support charitable initiatives around the world.
In this Sunday’s edition, Kenyan John Korir will defend the title he won last year with a time of 2:02:44.
While in the women’s category there will be a new champion, in the absence of Ruth Chepngetich, who is provisionally suspended for the “presence and use” of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in a control carried out on March 14 of this year.
With information from EFE
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