The mission of the American Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Team Red Cross brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of the American Red Cross mission. Team Red Cross prepares runners for success in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon while also providing a rewarding charitable giving experience. Each runner agrees to fundraise or donate a minimum amount to the Red Cross to support the Red Cross mission.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Please contact ChicagoTRC@redcross.org.

Runners who register before the Marathon drawing closes must fundraise a minimum of $2,200.

Runners who register after the Marathon drawing must fundraise a minimum of $3,000.

Please note: Our registration minimums are the same as ALL charities for the 2026 Chicago Marathon.

Team Red Cross alumni runners agree to fundraise a minimum of $2,200 no matter when they register for the race.

The Marathon entry fee is included when signing up with Team Red Cross.

Runners receive the following benefits:

• Guaranteed entry to the 2026 Chicago Marathon
• Complimentary Marathon Training Program
• Team Red Cross running singlet
• Access to Grant Park Hospitality Tent on race day
  

We help runners fundraise through an online site called DonorDrive. This site allows family and friends to donate to your cause and helps you reach your fundraising goal. The Red Cross also provides fundraising tips and access to 1-1 fundraising support along the way to easily help you with your goal.

When registering with Team Red Cross, you are committing to personally give and/or fundraise to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross. If you do not reach the fundraising minimum, you are authorizing the Red Cross to charge the difference to the credit card you provided. As a result of not reaching your minimum fundraising goal, the Red Cross reserves the right to pull your official race bib and you will not be able to run in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

When you accept a spot on Team Red Cross, you are taking an entry that we cannot refill if you drop out. Our charity counts on each runner to raise the fundraising minimum to support our mission. It is critical that each runner understands that their cancelation has a serious impact on the charity.

If you can no longer run in the 2026 Chicago Marathon for any reason, you accept responsibility for raising and/or personally donating half of the fundraising minimum to the American Red Cross if you cancel by July 17, 2026. If you cancel after July 17, 2026, you accept responsibility for raising and/or personally donating the entire fundraising minimum to the American Red Cross.

Absolutely! Runners who are already registered and have an entry to the Marathon can still join Team Red Cross. We require a minimum fundraising goal of $500 to receive Team Red Cross runner benefits.

All donations support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross. Your incredible support allows the Red Cross to serve millions of people during times of disaster, instruct CPR and First aid, support military families and veterans, and maintain our nation’s blood supply. The Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.