By our 5-axis Green Score, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the easier race — 8.1/10 vs 7.4/10 for the TCS NYC Marathon (a 0.7-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) | Bank of America Chicago Marathon | TCS NYC Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Green Score (overall) | 8.1 | 7.4 |
| First-timer score | 9.0 | 8.2 |
| Terrain | 9.3 | 7.4 |
| Climate | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Entry | 6.0 | 2.6 |
| Travel | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Field & support | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Distance | marathon | marathon |
| Date | October 11, 2026 | November 1, 2026 |
| Location | Chicago, IL | New York, NY |
| Typical race-day weather (10-yr) | 56°F / dew 50°F | 51°F / dew 43°F |
| Elevation gain | 207 ft | 820 ft |
| Field size | 52,150 | 55,000 |
| Entry | lottery | lottery |
| Entry fee | $250 | $315 |
| Boston qualifier course | Yes | Yes |
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