Chicago Marathon Features Athletes Actors and Local Runners

Former professional athletes, entertainers and accomplished distance runners will join approximately 53,000 participants at the 2026 Chicago Marathon on Sunday. The race will bring together competitors pursuing personal milestones, including a first marathon, age-group records and charitable fundraising, as they cover 26.2 miles through Chicago.

According to Runner's World, former Chicago Cubs teammates Anthony Rizzo and Jake Arrieta are among the notable entrants. Both are supporting the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which assists families of children with cancer.

Rizzo, a three-time All-Star first baseman, will make his marathon debut a decade after helping the Cubs win the 2016 World Series. He said on Instagram that watching his wife, Emily, compete in the New York City Marathon inspired him to attempt the distance. Rizzo established his foundation after surviving Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 18.

Arrieta, a retired pitcher, will run alongside Rizzo as part of Team Rizzo. In August, Rizzo described his motivation for the Chicago race as the pursuit of personal improvement and support for the foundation.

In an Instagram post, Rizzo appealed for support for families affected by childhood cancer. "Help us continue to make the lives of children dealing with pediatric cancers, and their families better. We appreciate your support," Rizzo wrote.

Actor Kel Mitchell, known for Good Burger and his work with Nickelodeon, will return to his hometown for his second marathon. Runner's World reported that he completed the Los Angeles Marathon in March in six hours and 16 minutes. He will raise money for World Vision during the Chicago race.

Elite distance runner Des Linden is also scheduled to compete, adding the Chicago Marathon to an already demanding racing calendar. The two-time Olympian finished the Boston Marathon in 2:36:24 in April, one week after placing third in the women's field at the Marathon des Sables, a 168-mile, six-stage race across Morocco's Sahara Desert.

Linden is preparing for the Javelina Jundred, a 100-mile trail race scheduled three weeks after Chicago. Her appearance in Chicago comes amid a season featuring several demanding endurance events.

Peloton instructor Kirsten Ferguson will also take part after documenting her training throughout the summer and fall. According to Runner's World, she has shared her preparation and personal journey with her online community.

Jacob Nur, a 71-year-old age-group record-holder from Elk Grove, California, will return after a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw from the 2025 Chicago Marathon. He is targeting the world marathon record for his age group, listed as 2:54:18 and held by Korean runner Heingchul Shin.

Nur began running at age 53 and has since won age-group competitions at the 2021 London Marathon, the 2022 Boston Marathon and the 2023 Berlin Marathon. His Chicago appearance offers another opportunity to pursue the age-group record after last year's injury interrupted his race.

Chicago-based runner Joabe Barbosa will compete after completing a citywide running challenge in June. According to Runner's World, Barbosa became the first person to run every street in Chicago, completing the project in less than two years while covering more than 4,000 miles across 77 neighborhoods.

Barbosa will run the marathon as a charity partner for My Block, My Hood, My City, a nonprofit focused on empowering Chicago residents to invest in and strengthen their communities. His participation follows the completion of the extensive street-running challenge in his adopted hometown.