Sports · Running & Athletics · 3 days ago
Athletes, actors and local runners set for 2026 Chicago Marathon
The 2026 Chicago Marathon is scheduled to bring about 53,000 runners through the city on Sunday.
Among them are retired Chicago Cubs players Anthony Rizzo and Jake Arrieta, actor Kel Mitchell, two-time Olympian Des Linden and Peloton instructor Kirsten Ferguson.
Rizzo is making his marathon debut and, like Arrieta, is raising money for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which supports families of children with cancer.
Mitchell is running his second marathon and fundraising for World Vision.
Other entrants include 71-year-old record-holder Jacob Nur, who is targeting a world age-group record, and Joabe Barbosa, who recently ran every street in Chicago and is supporting My Block, My Hood, My City.
Their plans show how the race brings together elite and recreational runners, with several using the event to raise money for causes.
They are scheduled to run the 26.2-mile course on Sunday.
The 2026 Chicago Marathon is set to include 53,000 runners, including celebrities, retired athletes and local figures.
Anthony Rizzo is scheduled to make his marathon debut and run for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation.
Other notable entrants include Jake Arrieta, Kel Mitchell, Des Linden, Kirsten Ferguson, Jacob Nur and Joabe Barbosa.
Several runners are fundraising for charities, while Nur is targeting an age-group world marathon record.
- Who
- About 53,000 runners, including Anthony Rizzo, Jake Arrieta, Kel Mitchell, Des Linden, Kirsten Ferguson, Jacob Nur and Joabe Barbosa.
- What
- They are scheduled to run the 2026 Chicago Marathon.
- When
- Sunday; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- Chicago, Illinois.
- Why
- Runners are taking part for reasons including personal goals and charity fundraising; Nur is targeting an age-group world marathon record.
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Des Linden finished the Boston Marathon in 2:36:24, a week after placing third in the women’s field at the Marathon de Sables.
Joabe Barbosa completed a challenge to run every street in Chicago, covering more than 4,000 miles and 77 neighborhoods.
Rizzo wrote that he was running the Chicago Marathon in pursuit of personal improvement and to support the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation.
The 2026 Chicago Marathon is scheduled to take place in Chicago.
- Expected field
- 53,000 runners
- Race distance
- 26.2 miles
- Rizzo’s charity
- Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation
- Mitchell’s first marathon
- Los Angeles Marathon, finished in 6 hours and 16 minutes
- Nur’s target
- Age-group world marathon record of 2:54:18
- Barbosa’s Chicago challenge
- More than 4,000 miles across 77 neighborhoods
Sources
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