Runners Can Secure an Entry into the Sold-Out
2025 Event by Running and Fundraising for Charity
CHICAGO, Jan. 28,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of America Chicago
Marathon announced today that 2024 participants raised $36 million for local, national and global
nonprofits, the highest fundraising total in event history. Since
2002, participants have raised more than $358 million through the event's official Charity
Program. This feat is accomplished by participants who sign on to
support an affiliated cause and commit to fundraising as a part of
their marathon journey. Individuals hoping to take part in this
year's sold-out event can still secure their place by committing to
run and fundraise on behalf of an official charity team.
"We're excited by the growth of the Charity Program and the
commitment thousands of runners make each year to run and raise
funds for nonprofits both in Chicago and around the world," said
Executive Race Director Carey
Pinkowski. "The funds raised by each runner allows
the impact of the race to reach far beyond the finish line. We're
excited to continue to grow this tradition and support the
incredible work being done by so many organizations."
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program launched in
2002 with 14 charities and 1,674 runners; since then, the program
has grown to 217 charities with more than 17,000 runners expected
to run for charity in 2025.
Running for charity gives participants a unique opportunity to
make the miles on their marathon journey more meaningful. One
runner took that mission to heart through their participation in
the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Carl Allegretti, President of Arbor Investments
(a Chicago based private equity
firm founded in 1999 by CEO Gregory J.
Purcell) and longtime Chicago Marathon participant had an
idea to make his 70th marathon special. In addition to
recruiting his colleagues to run the marathon alongside him,
Allegretti engaged several of Arbor's portfolio companies to join
the race and fundraising efforts. Brands such as Lantana Hummus,
Mountain House and Vital Essentials became event partners and
plugged in to support Allegretti and the event Charity Program.
Allegretti not only started and finished his 70th
marathon, but he also became the event's top fundraiser raising a
record $277,491, shattering the
previous record by over $100,000. The
dollars Allegretti raised went towards supporting three critical
charities: Greater Chicago Food Depository, PAWS Chicago and Lurie
Children's Hospital.
"In 1986, I started running to get into shape after my
college football career and I ran my first Chicago Marathon that
year," said Allegretti. "The reason behind my
marathons changed in 2007 when my oldest son was diagnosed with
cancer and cured by Lurie's Children's Hospital. After that, I made
the commitment to run for Lurie's and cancer research to give back.
Since then, I have run eight marathons for charity (four for
Chicago and four for Boston) and I'm proud to close out my marathon
career with my Arbor colleagues and Carey
Pinkowski by raising funds for organizations that are
meaningful to me and that are making a positive impact in our
city."
Individuals inspired by Allegretti and the thousands of other
participants who have run for charity can still secure an entry
into this year's Bank of America Chicago Marathon through the
official Charity Program. Those who register to run with an
official charity at this time are required to raise a minimum of
$2,100. For a list of official
charities and information on how to register by joining a charity
team, go to chicagomarathon.com/charity.
For the latest event updates, registered participants and
community members are encouraged to visit the Event FAQ which is
available at chicagomarathon.com.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its
47th year on Sunday, October 12,
2025, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will welcome
thousands of participants from more than 100 countries and all 50
states, including a world-class professional athlete field, top
regional and Masters runners, race veterans, debut marathoners and
charity participants. The race's iconic course takes participants
through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural
tour of Chicago. Annually, more
than a million spectators line the streets cheering on tens of
thousands of participants from the start line to the final stretch
down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race's national and
international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising
millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while
generating over $547 million in
annual economic impact to its host city. The 2025 Bank of America
Chicago Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors,
will start and finish in Grant
Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on
Sunday, October 12. In advance of the race, a three-day
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place
Convention Center on Thursday, October
9, Friday, October 10, and
Saturday, October 11. For more
information about the event and how to get involved, go to
chicagomarathon.com.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements
and other important information, visit the Bank of America
newsroom and register for news email alerts.
Reporters may contact:
Alex Sawyer, Bank of America
Chicago Marathon
Phone: 1.312.992.6618
alex.sawyer@cemevent.com
Diane Wagner, Bank of America
Phone: 1.312.992.2370
diane.wagner@bofa.com
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SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
