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. 22% more compared to 2023 and 76% more compared to 2022. The protests against the Trump administration and the immigration raids, a mystery in this edition. Thus the American ‘major’ faces the race towards 1,000 million.
The Chicago Marathon celebrates its 47th edition this Sunday. In 2023 it was the scene of Kelvin Kiptum’s men’s world record, who tragically died a few months later. In 2024 Ruth Chepngetich sealed the women’s world record. Away from the spotlight, almost 5,000 people, with a combined salary of $229 million, work to continue promoting the brand of this major.
An independent study by Jones & Associates Economics estimated the economic impact on the Chicago metropolitan area at $683 million in 2024, with participants and fans traveling to the Windy City from all five continents.
The numbers make clear the vertical growth of this event. In 2022 the impact was 386 million and in 2023, 559 million. Bank of America is the primary sponsor of the Marathon. Nike, Abbott, KIA, Gatorade and Hilton also support the American ‘major’.
Chicago and Boston, venues for two of the six ‘big’ Marathon events, will have 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 Marathon was held in a party atmosphere, this year there is more tension in the city, and not for sporting reasons. Several thousand protesters gathered on Wednesday in downtown Chicago, in the area of US President Donald Trump’s tower, to protest the sending of the National Guard, a decision made to shield federal agents in their immigration raids.
You may be interested in: Visits by Canadians to the US by car fell 35% in September: the ninth consecutive month of drastic decline
Chicago Marathon aims for $1 billion
Because this growth was achieved based on significant economic investments. In 2024, the race promoted 4,589 permanent jobs. The tourism industry recorded more than 177 million dollars of activity as a “direct consequence” of the Marathon.
“While the economic benefits of race weekend are immense, the true essence of the marathon lies in the enduring community and competitive environment it creates,” said Chicago Marathon CEO Carey Pinkowski in statements provided by organizers.
“We are grateful for the tireless dedication of countless contributors who made last year’s race possible, and we look forward to watching athletes push themselves to new limits this year,” he added.
Every year, more than a million people follow the Marathon in the city’s 29 neighborhoods. The number of American participants and fans, excluding residents of Illinois and the Mid-West area, increased by 130% compared to 2023. That led to notable spending on hotel structures and restaurants, among other commercial activities.
Additionally, the more than 50,000 runners who competed in Chicago helped raise a record $36 million in donations to support charitable initiatives around the world.
In this Sunday’s edition, the Kenyan John Korir will defend the title 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.
Do you like photos and news? Follow us on our Instagram
