History of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

In 1976 a small band of running enthusiasts met at the Metropolitan YMCA on LaSalle Street to discuss and plan a marathon in Chicago. One year later, through the support of Mayor Michael Bilandic and the leadership of Lee Flaherty, the vision of hosting a marathon in Chicago became a reality.  Over 4,200 runners turned out for the first Mayor Daley Marathon on September 25, 1977, making it the largest Marathon in the world at that time.

Marathon registration expanded to 6,756 in 1983 attracting world-class runners with Beatrice Foods as its title sponsor (1979-1986), and a $135,000 prize purse.  In 1984, the race’s record-setting history began to take shape as Steve Jones (GBR) powered across the Finish Line in 2:08:05, setting new World and National Records.

In 1990, Race Director Carey Pinkowski took the helm, three years after Beatrice Foods failed to return as a sponsor, forcing organisers to cancel the 1988 event.  Pinkowski revamped the vision and operations of the Race, increasing local runner and volunteer involvement by partnering with the Race with Chicago Area Runners Association.

Four years later, LaSalle Bank arrived on scene as title sponsor to offer the largest prize purse ($200,000) since 1990 and 10,000 registrants for the second time in its history.  With LaSalle Bank’s support, the steady growth of the Marathon continues today, offering $650,000 in prize money (largest in the sport since 2004) and hosting 40,000 local, international, and world-class runners.

At the 20th running in 1997, young Moroccan Khalid Khannouchi muscled his way through the men’s field to claim his first victory and lay the foundation for an unbelievable career in Chicago. The rookie thrilled spectators with a 2:07:10 victory, setting World Debut, North American and course records while clocking the fourth fastest Marathon time ever.

In 1999, Khannouchi blazed through the course in 2:05:42 to set a World Record and become the first man under 2:06.  After becoming a U.S. citizen, he followed that performance with a new American Record in 2000 (2:07:01) earning his third Chicago championship.

Kenya’s Catherine Ndereba stole the world stage in 2001 with a record breaking performance (2:18:47). Her finish was the first sub-2:19 race in female marathon history, lowering the world’s best by 59-seconds, set only a week before in Berlin.

One year later, Great Britain’s Paula Radcliffe unleashed a stunning 2:17:18 performance, bettering Ndereba’s World Record by 89 seconds and firmly planting her name in marathon history.