Part of the World Marathon Majors, running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike. The race starts and finishes in Grant Park, and travels through one of the world’s most magnificent cities.
Charity place
To apply for one of our limited charity places in the Chicago Marathon 2026, please press the 'Register' button below. We'll be in touch if we're able to offer you a place.
If your application is successful, you will be required to pay a £50 registration fee and commit to raising a minimum sponsorship target (excluding gift aid) of £2,000.
Event information
Register
Why join #TeamStroke?
Everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. Taking part in the Chicago Marathon means that you are part of the team helping us to continue the work that we do, such as funding stroke support services and researching better treatments, care and rehabilitation.
As part of our Chicago Marathon team you will receive:
- Support from a dedicated one to one contact.
- Regular training tips and fundraising advice.
- Your very own Stroke Association running vest to wear with pride on the big day.
- Fundraising materials such as collection buckets and balloons.
If you have any questions, please contact our fundraising team at supporter.relations@stroke.org.uk
Frequently asked questions
Does applying for a charity place guarantee me a place in the Chicago Marathon 2026?
No, completing our charity place application does not guarantee you a place. We will review applications and will let you know if your application has been successful.
How can I improve my chances of securing a charity place?
When completing your application, please include as much detail as possible about why you wish to fundraise for the Stroke Association and how you will do this. We are looking for a breakdown of how you will exceed the minimum fundraising target of £2,000. This could be bullet points regarding each fundraising activity and how much you think each will raise.
Is there any flexibility on the minimum fundraising target? Do I have to raise a minimum of £2,000? E.g. can I raise £1500?
We need to ensure all participants raise at least £2,000 to cover our costs and allow us to help rebuild more lives after stroke.
What should I do if I have been offered a charity place but then secure a place via the Chicago Marathon lottery?
Please let us know if you are lucky enough to secure a place via the Chicago Marathon lottery. We recommend that you accept the lottery place and then we can allocate the charity place to someone else. You can still join #TeamStroke with a lottery place, and by offering the charity place to another person, this means that we can make #TeamStroke even bigger.
Will I receive a running vest to wear at the Chicago Marathon?
If you can’t find the answer you are looking for, email supporter.relations@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 3300 740. We are here to help!
