Chicagoland Spring Marathon

Chicagoland Spring Marathon 2026 Course Analysis

Chicagoland Spring Marathon is a full marathon held in Schaumburg, United States of America, scheduled for Sunday 3 May 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 143m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 223m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Chicagoland Spring Marathon website.

Elevation Profile

With 143m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 209m to 223m above sea level (14m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.

Expected Race Day Weather

Based on historical weather data for May, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from 6°C to 20°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a low chance of rain (18%), so dry conditions are likely.

Surface Type: Trail

Chicagoland Spring Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.

How Difficult Is Chicagoland Spring Marathon?

Our difficulty rating for Chicagoland Spring Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.

Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Chicagoland Spring Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.