1977day.year
About 4,200 people take part in the first running of the Chicago Marathon.
The inaugural Chicago Marathon sees around 4,200 runners cross the start line through the city streets.
On September 25, 1977, Chicago hosted its first city-wide marathon, attracting roughly 4,200 participants.
The 26.2-mile course wound through downtown Chicago and nearby neighborhoods.
Organizers aimed to establish the event as a world-class road race comparable to Boston and New York.
The finish line at Soldier Field celebrated more than 2,600 finishers on race day.
Early winners set competitive times that helped draw elite international athletes in later years.
The Chicago Marathon has since grown into one of the six World Marathon Majors.
1977
Chicago Marathon