2026 bank of america Chicago marathon

Le Meridien Essex, Chicago: A luxury property located directly off Michigan Ave in the heart of Chicago near some of the most iconic landmarks in the city, including the Bean. This hotel is located directly across the street from the marathon start/finish in Grant Park.

Bed Types: 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds. Please note that rooms with 2 Double Beds are very limited.

Room assignment will be based on the reservation you book.

Hotel 55: A boutique hotel located by the Magnificent Mile in River North. This property is 1.5 miles from the start and finish area and requires a 4-night minimum stay.

Bed Types: 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds. Please note that rooms with 2 Double Beds are very limited.

Room assignment will be based on the reservation you book.

Three-Night Package

DAY ONE | FRIDAY OCTOBER 9TH:

If today is your check-in day, Welcome to Chicago. After arriving, make your own way to the hotel for 3pm check-in. Today is a good day to zip over to the expo for bib collection and merchandise - as such we have a planned departure to the expo at 2pm. Please try to book flight arrivals early today as transit from the airport to downtown can be about 1 hour. Expo return to hotel is about 5:30pm.

DAY TWO| SATURDAY OCTOBER 10TH:

If you registered for the Chicago 5K this morning (we recommend doing), race start is at 7:30am just outside the hotel. After the run, enjoy a FIT brunch* to start your day and meet other FIT travelers. Afterwards, enjoy a free day to explore Chicago! Return to the expo, book a river tour, or a bike tour, visit the Bean, Wrigley, or just rest before the marathon tomorrow!

*subject to change to dinner.

DAY THREE | SUNDAY OCTOBER 11TH:

Time to run those beautiful 26.2 miles around Chicago! This flat, fast course is a gem (it can be tricky at the end, but you’ve got this). Depart at your leisure for your corral. The marathon start/finish are across the street from Le Meridien or a short 1.5 mile walk from Hotel 55. We can’t wait to cheer for you on the course and celebrate your race at the finish. Spectators are welcome to join FIT at the cheer sections.

DAY FOUR | MONDAY OCTOBER 12TH:

Congratulations on your marathon experience! We hope that you enjoyed your time in Chicago and wish you a safe journey home or on your continued adventures.

*Itinerary subject to change. Final itinerary will be sent 3 weeks prior to departure.

Four-Night Package

DAY ONE | THURSDAY OCTOBER 8TH:

If today is your check-in day, Welcome to Chicago. After arriving, make your own way to the hotel for 4pm check-in. Join FIT on an Architecture Boat Tour this afternoon.

DAY TWO | FRIDAY OCTOBER 9TH:

Today is a good day to zip over to the expo for bib collection and merchandise - as such we have a planned departure to the expo at 2pm. Expo return to hotel is about 5:30pm.

DAY THREE | SATURDAY OCTOBER 10th:

If you registered for the Chicago 5K this morning (we recommend doing), race start is at 7:30am just outside the hotel. After the run, enjoy a FIT brunch to start your day and meet other FIT travelers. Afterwards, enjoy a free day to explore Chicago! Return to the expo, book a river tour, or a bike tour, visit the Bean, Wrigley, or just rest before the marathon tomorrow!

DAY FOUR | SUNDAY OCTOBER 11th:

Time to run those beautiful 26.2 miles around Chicago! This flat, fast course is a gem (it can be tricky at the end, but you’ve got this). Depart at your leisure for your corral. The marathon start/finish are across the street from Le Meridien or a short 1.5 mile walk from Hotel 55. We can’t wait to cheer for you on the course and celebrate your race at the finish. Spectators are welcome to join FIT at the cheer sections.

DAY FIVE | MONDAY OCTOBER 12th:

Congratulations on your marathon experience! We hope that you enjoyed your time in Chicago and wish you a safe journey home or on your continued adventures.

*Itinerary subject to change. Final itinerary will be sent 3 weeks prior to departure.

Le Meridien Three Night Package: Friday, October 9th to Monday, October 12th

Single/Runner: $3,150

Single/Non-Runner: $2,625

Double/Twin/Runner: $2,235

Double/Twin/Non-Runner: $1,710

Triple/Runner: $1,935

Triple/Non-Runner: $1,410

Quad/Runner: $1,780

Quad/Non-Runner: $1,255

Hotel 55 Four Night Package: Thursday, October 8th to Monday, October 12th

Single/Runner: $3,120

Single/Non-Runner: $2,595

Double/Twin/Runner: $2,180

Double/Twin/Non-Runner: $1,655

Triple/Runner: $1,875

Triple/Non-Runner: $1,350

Quad/Runner: $1,695

Quad/Non-Runner: $1,170

*Pricing is total per person. (Single = 1 person in the room, Double/Twin = 2 people in 1 room requires 2 packages, Triple = 3 people in 1 room requires 3 packages, Quad = 4 people in 1 room requires 4 packages). Pricing is in USD and includes taxes. Rollaways are not permitted in these hotel rooms. Guaranteed entry is only provided along with our travel package.

If you need additional nights or adjusted arrival and departures please reach out to us to see what is available.

Packages are sold per person.

If you require guaranteed entry for the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon through FIT please select a Runner Package. If you do not require a race entry from FIT, please select a No Entry Package.

SINGLE TRAVELERS: If you are traveling on your own, 1 traveler & 1 person staying in a room, you would select a single room x 1 package. (ex. Runner Package x 1 or No Entry Package x 1)

TWO TRAVELERS/ONE ROOM: If you are traveling with 2 people, you need to select the following based on if you want a room with 1 bed or 2 beds:

• 2 Double Packages

• 2 Twin Packages

Ex. Double Runner Package x 1 + Double No Entry Package x 1, Double Runner Package x2, Twin No Entry Package x 2, etc.

THREE TRAVELERS: For triples, please select:

• 3 Triple Packages

Ex. Triple Runner Package x 3 or Triple Runner Package x 2 + Triple No Entry Package x 1, etc.

FOUR TRAVELERS: For quads, please select:

• 4 Quad Packages

Ex. Quad Runner Package x 4 or Quad Runner Package x 2 + Quad No Entry Package x 2, etc.

Are you traveling together but want your own payment & reservation?That’s fabulous; we can do this! Please make a reservation in a double room or twin room with one package booked (x1) and then in the notes highlight who you are traveling with. You will each have 1 reservation under your name but we will pair you in 1 room together. In total that is 2 reservations for 1 room.

RESERVATION ADMIN:

Packages/room types are booked on a first come, first serve basis.

A $800 non-refundable deposit per runner and a $150 non-refundable deposit per no-entry is required to confirm your reservation.

Final payment is due on or before July 15, 2026. Reservations received after July 15, 2026 need to pay for programs in full. Your final payment will automatically be charged to your card used at the time you made your reservations. Accounts where balances remain 5 days after the final payment deadline will be automatically cancelled.

If you need to extended your reservation by 1 night add this on to your reservation during the booking process. Should you need additional nights beyond what is available, please make your reservation and reach out to us via email regarding extending your stay!

When you travel with FIT, you travel with an expert operations team that is passionate about running the world with you! FIT packages are designed by marathon runners for marathon runners. Our team focuses on turkey, stressfree, boutique travel operations so that you can focus on the flights, fun & fitness.

With every FIT package booked, you’re not just traveling the world—you’re giving back to it.

A portion of each booking for Chicago supports two incredible causes close to our hearts: Girls on the Run Chicago, empowering the next generation of strong, confident runners, and Racing for Sustainability, championing environmental stewardship in the global running community. Your journey creates impact. Thank you for running the world with purpose.

Why Choose FIT

• We’re marathon people. FIT was founded by a global runner who’s logged 100+ marathons on all 7 continents—we truly understand what you need in destinations around the world for race week.

• Our hotels feel like a retreat. Well-appointed, welcoming, and selected with hospitality, comfort and location, location, location in mind.

• Race-weekend logistics made easy. Our locations are intentionally chosen so getting to the expo, start and finish is simple—not stressful.

• Meals that truly work for runners. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, protein-forward—we do our best to make sure everyone feels fueled and seen.

• A team that loves what they do. You’ll meet staff who are passionate, present and genuinely invested in your journey.

• We celebrate you. Birthdays, anniversaries, firsts, Six Stars, comeback stories—we honor every milestone.

• Spectating is a Sport. Your cheer squad is your important to us! Our programming includes your support crew. Spectators, friends, family members, etc are included in all weekend programming and are included in race day operations with specific departure times to FIT hosts cheer zones on race day!

• A community that lifts you up. Inclusive, supportive, judgment-free—this is what the FITfam stands for.

• Experiences that go beyond the race. We curate unique ways to explore each host city so every trip has a look and feel specific to the destination.

• Service that feels personal. Prompt, kind, attentive communication—because you deserve nothing less.

• Heart at the center of it all. We’re a female-founded, mama-run company fueled by passion, purpose, and a genuine love for helping you run the world.