By our 5-axis Green Score, the Marine Corps Marathon is the easier race — 8.4/10 vs 8.1/10 for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon (a 0.3-point gap). The biggest difference is travel, where the Marine Corps 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) | Bank of America Chicago Marathon | Marine Corps Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Green Score (overall) | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| First-timer score | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Terrain | 9.3 | 7.9 |
| Climate | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Entry | 6.0 | 7.1 |
| Travel | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| Field & support | 10.0 | 9.5 |
| Distance | marathon | marathon |
| Date | October 11, 2026 | October 25, 2026 |
| Location | Chicago, IL | Arlington, VA |
| Typical race-day weather (10-yr) | 56°F / dew 50°F | 48°F / dew 42°F |
| Elevation gain | 207 ft | 659 ft |
| Field size | 52,150 | 18,000 |
| Entry | lottery | lottery |
| Entry fee | $250 | $210 |
| Boston qualifier course | Yes | Yes |
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