By our 5-axis Green Score, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the easier race — 8.1/10 vs 7.1/10 for the Boston Marathon (a 1.0-point gap). The biggest difference is entry, where the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has the edge. Scores come from elevation profiles, 10 years of race-morning weather, entry odds, and field size — the full method is on the methodology page.
| Score (10 = easiest) | Boston Marathon | Bank of America Chicago Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Green Score (overall) | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| First-timer score | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| Terrain | 6.9 | 9.3 |
| Climate | 10.0 | 9.0 |
| Entry | 2.0 | 6.0 |
| Travel | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Field & support | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Distance | marathon | marathon |
| Date | April 19, 2027 | October 11, 2026 |
| Location | Hopkinton, MA | Chicago, IL |
| Typical race-day weather (10-yr) | 49°F / dew 41°F | 56°F / dew 50°F |
| Elevation gain | 820 ft | 207 ft |
| Field size | 30,000 | 52,150 |
| Entry | qualifier | lottery |
| Entry fee | $255 | $250 |
| Boston qualifier course | No | Yes |
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