The Chicago Marathon is part of the Marathon Majors series, making it one of the top six marathons in the world. In Chicago, running.COACH ambassador Paula Radcliffe set a world record of 2:17:18 at the Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2002. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is known for its flat and fast course that starts and finishes in Grant Park and travels through one of the world’s most magnificent cities. World Athletics Platinum Label and AIMS certificate course.