Inside the Bank of America Chicago Marathon’s Charity Block Party, Amanda Moore stood in a blue tent watching for two runners: Todd Hill and his 17-year-old son, Logan Hill. They were one of only six “duo teams” in the marathon, where one racer pushes another with a physical disability.
The pair from Arlington Heights were racing to raise money for research into Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic condition that can impair a person’s ability to walk, speak and sleep.
Moore, CEO of the Aurora-based Angelman Syndrome Foundation, was trying to pick out the racers in the crowd when they passed by before noon, Todd pushing Logan in a stroller.
“These are parents who have a child with a rare disease, who are exhausted and they’re tired, but they have trained for months to run and push their amazing child with Angelman,” Moore said.
Between energy-boosting pickle shots and life-sized cutouts of the Pope, racers in this year’s Chicago Marathon had plenty of help from the sidelines. Many organizations set up stations along the course, some raising money for causes, others representing cultural communities in Chicago.
About 55,000 people from over 100 countries and all 50 states were expected to run this year. The weekend is a top tourism driver for the city, but six Loop hotels announced a strike Friday, putting some racers’ plans into disarray.
Amos Kipruto of Kenya won the overall marathon with an unofficial time of 2:01:09. Hawi Feysa Gejia of Ethiopia was the top women’s finisher at 2:13:33.
Racers shattered records for the wheelchair race. Swiss racer Catherine Debrunner broke her own record in the women’s wheelchair division, finishing in 1:33:16 seconds. Also from Switzerland and also breaking his own record, Marcel Hug crossed the finish line at 1:21:34.
Running for a cause
The marathon’s Charity Block Party near mile 15 saw the road south of Skinner Park lined with colorful tents belonging to some of the over 200 organizations represented in the race. While a DJ nearby blasted music, Moore, the nonprofit leader, cheered on runners.
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Moore said the foundation had 68 runners in the race, four of which were on duo teams. Together they raised $350,000 this year for research and prevention, Moore said.
“A lot of these people who are out here, they spend months and months training for such important causes,” Moore said. “And the dollars that these people, these families raise impact our organization in ways that it’s hard to be able to say, ‘Thank you.’”
Next to the charity mile, Job Vigano periodically rang a metal bell the size of a small pumpkin. Vigano, 55, hoped the bell would help motivate runners, and several pumped their fists in response.
He was cheering on his nephew, Patrick Mazuca, whose TikTok videos on his trip to Chicago for the marathon amassed tens of thousands of views. Mazuca ran in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Vigano had a QR code taped to the fence behind the muffin table where people could donate.
“It’s great; this is what we love about Chicago,” Vigano said. “Everyone comes out.”
Representing a culture
Outside the Mexican Consulate General’s office on Ashland Avenue, women stood on a stage chanting “Mexico” into microphones while runners streamed by. A banner displaying an illustration of a runner wearing a Mexican flag stood next to the stage, while consulate employees cheered and held up signs for participants.
The setup was a partnership between the consulate and The Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence. Esmeralda Gonzalez, marathon coordinator for the latter group, said they were trying to spot any runners promoting Mexico or other Latin American countries.
“When we’re seeing runners pass by, it’s nice to see runners with their flags on, regardless of where they’re coming from, and then we can get up and be like, ‘Yes, Brazil, or Colombia or yes, Mexico,” Gonzalez said. “I really want to cheer them on.”
The Texas National Guard arrived in Chicago just days ahead of last year’s marathon. Some local Latino run clubs and their members told the Tribune at the time they were taking precautions amidst federal immigration crackdowns. In September 2025, ICE agents detained at least two people in the vicinity of Cook County’s domestic violence-focused courthouse.
Gonzalez said her organization provided survivors with funding for Uber rides and other services to ensure they felt safer traveling to and from court. But the program has been difficult to maintain financially, she said, and any money raised from the marathon could be used in support.
Just a block down from the Mexican consulate, members of the Muslim Run Club waited for runners inside a white tent draped with a Palestinian flag. There, club member Maha Madi was waiting for Teron Welch, the group’s first runner.
Using the marathon’s app, spectators were able to track racers’ progress and get estimates on when they’d arrive at their location. Welch was due to arrive at any moment, but Madi, a 32-year-old Fulton Market resident, had trouble spotting him in the crowd.
“This is the hardest part,” she said.
At 9:25 a.m., Welch passed wearing a white tank top, black headband and sunglasses. Madi shouted into her microphone while the club’s other members yelled support. Now, they would wait for the rest of their club’s 30 runners and cheer on anyone else passing by.
“It’s always so exhilarating because, oh my god, people are crushing their goals,” Madi said.
Lending support
Spectators across the track held up distinct signs; some played off popular memes while others referenced inside jokes between friends. In front of the United Center, one sign read, “Pain is just French for bread.”
A group of nuns hoisted life-size cutouts of Pope Leo XIV. One pope was wearing sunglasses and a mustache, with signs underneath reading “Da Pope” and “Rest in Peace, Coach,” referencing former Bears coach Mike Ditka, who died Friday.
Nico Rodriguez and Ryan Kang both cheered on Charles de Mey, their roommate at Northwestern University. Kang, 21, had a sign with drawings including a tennis racket and a winking face. Rodriguez’s sign was simpler, reading “Go Chuc,” in red Sharpie.
“We’re not the most creative people, but we thought he’d get a kick out of it because he’s a very blunt guy,” he said.
Liz Coffey wasn’t out to cheer on anyone specific. She used to run marathons herself, including races in Tokyo, Boston and Chicago. After a recent knee injury, Coffey, a 41-year-old Bucktown resident, said she retired from running. She and her husband set up on a part of West Adams Street nearly devoid of other spectators.
“After the halfway point is where people really need support,” Coffey said. “We know there aren’t as many fans in this stretch, so we thought we could make a difference for people cheering here.”
Coffey went to bed early the previous night to prepare. She said spectating the race can itself be tiring.
“It’s really exciting,” she said. “Some years I was wishing I was out there, too, but now I’m really excited to be on the sidelines.”
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