Join #TeamSpinal on the Chicago Marathon, an irresistible and highly in-demand event.
Part of the prestigious World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon attracts tens of thousands of runners from around the globe. The race winds through the vibrant streets of an historic city, past scenic Lake Michigan and the iconic landmarks that make this dynamic race such an unmissable event on the marathon calendar. Cheering crowds and a lively atmosphere make this a world-class race, whether you’re aiming for a personal best or simply soaking in the energy. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of this unforgettable experience – join us and make a difference!
How to apply:
We’d love you to apply to join #TeamSpinal. Complete our form to tell us why you want to run and how you would reach your fundraising target. Please include as much information as possible as this will be passed onto the panel who will select the successful participants. Successful applicants will be asked to pay the £50.00 registration fee to confirm their place.
Got a ballot place?
If you are lucky enough to secure a ballot place we’d love you to join #TeamSpinal. You will receive all the perks of being part of the team and all we ask is that you raise as much as you can. All sponsorship will help us develop treatments to restore feeling and mobility for people paralysed as a result of a spinal cord injury. Click below to get started.
What can you expect from us:
Everyone in our team will receive a full support package including:
- 1-to-1 personalised fundraising support
- Access to an exclusive training hub (provided by GH Training)
- Team e-newsletters
- A Spinal Research technical t-shirt
Not to mention heaps of encouragement, help and advice!
We are pleased to be supported by GH Training, a service designed to help you train for the marathon. Run by personal trainer Graeme Hilditch (author of our training guides and previous Spinal Research runner!)
FAQs:
What are the requirements for taking part in the Chicago Marathon?
All participants in the Chicago Marathon must be aged 16 or older on Marathon Day – for those under the age of 18 registration must be completed by a parent or guardian.
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept residents of the United States on our team.
What is the registration fee and how much do I have to fundraise?
The registration fee for the Chicago Marathon is £50.00 and we ask all our charity place fundraisers to raise a minimum of £2,000.
Please note there is a first fundraising checkpoint of £1,000 due on 1 February 2027, followed by a second fundraising checkpoint of £1,500 due on 10 May 2027. The remainder of your fundraising target (£500) is due 4 weeks after the event.
Will I get a fundraising top to wear on the day?
Absolutely, we love to send our team a technical top to wear during the run. We will even get you an iron on name so you can personalise it.
These are usually sent out after your second fundraising checkpoint.
Please note that if you are an international participant, we attempt to send t-shirts out but they often get stopped and require releasing with a small payment by your local sorting office. This is not something we can cover beforehand so would be expected by the participant.
How will I get my race pack?
You will need to collect your race pack from their Expo, which usually runs from the Thursday to Saturday before the event. Make sure you allow time to collect the pack during your race day planning.
Can I race if I have a disability?
Yes, however there is a slightly different process for participants with disabilities as you would need a different entry to the charity entries. To find out more information, click here
I have a ballot place with the Chicago Marathon and would like to fundraise for Spinal Research. Can I do this and will I have a fundraising target?
Congratulations on securing a place in the ballot – we would love to have you join #TeamSpinal! Join us today!
As an own place runner, you won’t have a fundraising target. We just ask that you raise as much as possible so you can to help us fund essential research.
Click “Own ballot place” to get started.
Who are Realbuzz?
Our partner Realbuzz, are a third-party organisation who connect runners with charities to support, and are a fantastic way to guarantee a place on high-demand races connected with a good cause. More information can be found on their website here.
Will Spinal Research be attending the Marathon?
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who chooses to support Spinal Research by taking part in the marathon.
Unfortunately, we won’t be attending in person. As a charity, we carefully consider the costs involved, including travel, accommodation, staffing and event fees. We’ve made the difficult decision to put these funds directly towards our research, so we can make every pound go further.
We know this may be disappointing, and we really hope you understand. Although we won’t be there on the day, we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way! Every mile you run and every pound you raise helps us continue our vital work.
Have another question?
If you have any other questions or need support. Please contact us through the button below.
Email us
