Signature Events: Team Kidney Chicago Marathon
the race is on
on your mark, get ready
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is proud to be an official charity partner of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Every year, marathon organizers put aside a limited number of slots for athletes committed to running in honor of philanthropic causes, and when you run on behalf of the NKFI, every mile you put behind you will raise money for free health screenings, community programming, and cutting-edge research.
As a member of Team Kidney, you'll have access to our online giving platform, renowned trainer Seth Kopf, an NKFI fundraising coach, and exciting Team Kidney incentives. Best of all, you'll have the entire NKFI community cheering you on.
For more information about the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, please click here.
how to join team kidney
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Registration: Team Kidney is starting to recruit! Keep an eye out for our emails, and if you'd like to be added to our TeamKidney email list, reach out to Molly Swayze at mswayze@nkfi.org.
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About Team Kidney: #TeamKidney is the National Kidney Foundation's digital, community-giving platform. Customize your page, add photos and easily share on social media or with family and friends. Visit the TeamKidney Site
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Fundraise, Get Supporters: You can create your own fundraising page on our intuitive, Team Kidney giving-platform. We make it easy for you to set goals, appeal for donations, and share your efforts through email and social media. Best of all, managing your progress is a breeze, as our portal handles all the complex work (like processing gifts). Get started on TeamKidney.
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your application
Request the application information below and return it to Molly Swayze at mswayze@nkfi.org as soon as possible.
meet coach seth
Seth is a certified USA Track & Field and Road Runners Club of America running coach. He is the owner of Kopf Running, an endurance coaching company based in the Chicago area, and has helped thousands of athletes successfully complete races of varying distances. He is the proud finisher of 10 Bank of America Chicago Marathons, and is equally proud to have
participated as a charity athlete on 9 different occasions. Kopf Running offers comprehensive virtual training services throughout the year for the distances of 5K through the full marathon.
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By signing up with Team Kidney, all these benefits are entirely free:
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A comprehensive training program
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FREE Final Surge account to track workouts & monitor progress
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Access to Kopf Running on Strava + weekly training & nutrition tips
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FREE educational running webinars
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Partner discounts
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Discounted nutrition services offered through a registered dietitian
location & schedule
your directions to the starting line
Event Location
THE COURSE
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is known for its flat, fast course. The route starts and finishes in Grant Park, travels through 29 neighborhoods, and is set against the backdrop of one of America's most magnificent cities.
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Runners have access to 20 aid stations, which are spread out along the course.
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Transit, Driving, Parking
TRANSIT
All participants and spectators are encouraged to use public transit. If you drive, allow time for heavy traffic and street closures due to the race.
PARKING
The Millennium Garages offer the closest race day parking options to Grant Park at the Grant Park North, Grant Park South, Millennium Park, and Millennium Lakeside garages.
Schedule
OCTOBER 12, 2025
5:30am: Gear check opens
5:30am: Start corrals open
7:20am: Wheelchair Start (men)
7:21am: Wheelchair Start (women)
7:22am: Handcycle Start
7:23am: Athletes with Disabilities Start
7:30am: Wave 1 Start
8:00am: Wave 2 Start
8:35am: Wave 3 Start
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Biofreeze 27th Mile Post-Race Party
Grant Park, Butler Field
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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Times are subject to change.
meet the team
taking the fight to the finish line
2024 Team Kidney
Meg MacLaren
Laura Mariani
Philip Mariani
Juana Moya
Tony Mufarreh
Tony Murrell
Whitney Phillips
Allison Podborny
Bill Podborny
Susan Podborny
Paul Rakoski
Venkata Reddivari
Haley Sarff-DeLong
Dan Smith
Emily Susin
Nicholas Tobin
Crystal Veal
Teagan Walter
Charis Whitney
Elizabeth Wieland
Amy Williams
chicago marathon sponsors
you make the difference
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois wouldn't be able to impact the lives of patients, families, and communities without the help of our dedicated Chicago Marathon sponsors. Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Molly Swayze at mswayze@nkfi.org or 312-321-1500.
