NBC Chicago announces Bank of America Chicago Marathon coverage plans

NBCUniversal Local Chicago will provide eight consecutive hours of live coverage of the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, across NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and the stations’ digital platforms.

The coverage will begin at 7 a.m. CT and will be available in English and Spanish, with more than 180 employees involved in the production. More than 35 ground and drone cameras will be positioned along the 26.2-mile course through Chicago, Illinois. 

Primary coverage will air on WMAQ in English and WSNS in Spanish. Both feeds will also stream. 

This year’s production will also introduce six dedicated “motocams,” using cameras mounted on specialized vehicles to provide closer views of runners throughout the race.

Separate cameras will follow the professional men’s, women’s, men’s wheelchair and women’s wheelchair competitions. NBCUniversal Local Chicago will also assign cameras to follow the leading American male and female runners from the start through the finish.

The 2026 race marks NBC Chicago’s 19th consecutive year producing coverage of the Chicago Marathon and its 23rd year covering the event overall.

“As one of the world’s premier sporting events, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon attracts global attention while giving us the opportunity to showcase the very best of our city to viewers around the world,” NBCUniversal Local Chicago President and General Manager Kevin Cross said in a statement.

The partnership will include distribution through Peacock, expanding the race coverage beyond the Chicago television market.

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“NBCUniversal Local Chicago has been a valued partner of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for 19 years,” Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski said. “Working with NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and Peacock allows us to expand our reach so viewers around the world can take part in that experience as well.”

NBC 5 will lead into the race coverage with “Chasing the Start: A Journey to 26.2” at 6:30 a.m. CT on Oct. 11, 2026.

The half-hour special, hosted by Marion Brooks and Alex Maragos, will profile local runners and examine the experiences, challenges and motivations behind their preparations for the marathon.