How to Track a Chicago Marathon Runner for the 2024 Race – NBC Chicago

NOTE: Streaming race day coverage and finish line camera will be available live in the player above beginning October 13th

Thousands of runners will take to the streets of Chicago on Sunday for the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, but if you want to keep track of a specific runner, there's a way to do it.

For spectators trying to catch a glimpse of a friend or family member along the 26.2-mile route, it can be difficult to see exactly where they are. That's why spectators and supporters can follow the runners live via the marathon's mobile app.

Runners and fans can download the app here for iPhone and here for Android or search for “Bank of America Chicago Marathon” in the Apple and Google Play stores.

To add registered participants to their tracking list, users can search for their name and add them to their favorites. Users can track up to 20 runners through the app, which also includes an interactive course map, event schedule and race photos.

According to the marathon's website, spectators can even send a “digital cheer” through the app, which may even be displayed on the course as your participant runs by.

When does the Chicago Marathon take place?

The 46th running of the Chicago Marathon is scheduled to begin shortly after 7 a.m. on October 13 in Chicago's Grant Park.

Organizers have announced that an estimated 50,000 runners will line up in downtown Chicago next month, a number that would break last year's record of 47,000.

How long is the Chicago Marathon?

In 2023, the average time for a marathon was 4:14:29 for men and 4:42:09 for women, according to Verywell Fit.

But runners will have much longer.

Marathon participants have six hours and 30 minutes to complete the route. The official final vehicle follows the last starter and maintains a pace of 15 minutes per mile on the course.

Therefore, runners must maintain a pace of 15 minutes per mile or faster to complete the marathon within the event's time limits. Participants who exceed this limit may not be counted as official finishers of the marathon. According to event rules, they may also not receive any en route assistance from aid stations or traffic safety personnel and may not complete the marathon.

Here's how you can watch the Chicago Marathon live

Live television broadcasts will air from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT and the live stream will be available at nbcchicago.com and telemundochicago.com. Live broadcasts will also be available on the NBC Chicago and Telemundo Chicago apps, as well as on the streaming channel NBC Chicago 24/7 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT. The live finish line camera will stream on all three websites and apps from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The live stream will be available on race day via the Peacock homepage. It will also be available on Roku TV, Fire TV, Samsung TV Plus, Xumo Play, Local Now, Pluto, Google TV, TCL, Xfinity and FreeVee.

A live Target Camera will be streamed on the websites and apps from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.