Two Majors, Two Very Different Races

Chicago and New York City are both Abbott World Marathon Majors — for decades that meant a fixed set of six races (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City), and the series has recently grown to add Sydney, with more races joining in the years ahead. Beyond that shared prestige, Chicago and New York are genuinely different experiences, and the right choice depends more on what you're chasing than on which race is objectively "better."

Course Character

Chicago runs as a single loop starting and finishing in Grant Park, and it's widely regarded as one of the flattest, fastest major-marathon courses anywhere — the real elevation and course-profile figures for each race are in the "at a glance" cards above, straight from RaceRove's database. New York is a point-to-point route across all five boroughs, crossing five bridges (the Verrazzano-Narrows into Brooklyn, the Pulaski into Queens, the Queensboro into Manhattan, the Willis Avenue into the Bronx, and the Madison Avenue back into Manhattan) before finishing in Central Park. That shape brings more rolling terrain and tougher late-race climbs than Chicago's course, and New York tends to run slower for a given level of fitness.

When Each Race Happens

Chicago runs in October; New York follows about three to four weeks later, in November. Runners chasing both in the same fall season do exist, but it's a demanding double — most either pick one for a given year or space them further apart.

Getting In

Both races fill their fields well before race day and use a mix of time-qualifying entry, a lottery, and charity or guaranteed-entry programs. The exact terms, deadlines and odds change from cycle to cycle, so check each race's own registration page (linked from the cards above) rather than relying on a fixed rule of thumb.

Which Should You Run First?

• Chasing a fast time or a Boston Qualifier — Chicago's flatter course gives you more room for error on pacing.
• Want the loudest, most immersive crowd experience across the widest range of neighborhoods — New York's five-borough route is built for that.
• Training around cooler fall weather — both races land in the same general season; check the weather guide for each below rather than assuming they're identical.
• Working toward the Six Star Finisher medal (or its newer, expanded equivalent) — you'll eventually run both, so the order is really about which fits your training calendar this year.