The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon saw both seasoned marathon runners and newbies.
"This is my sixth Chicago marathon I'm running," said Woodford Joseph.
This year was extra special for Joseph, who ran the marathon with his daughter Keara.
"I remember when she was a little girl she said, 'Dad, one day I'm going to run the marathon with you,'" he said. "And I'm so happy and thrilled that we're doing it today."
Keara Joseph said she doesn't think running the marathon would be the same without her dad.
"Knowing that he's going to be there at such a big marathon, I feel like that has made me able to run this marathon," she said.
The Josephs traveled from Florida for the 48th Chicago marathon. They were just a couple of the thousands of people from across the country and the world who made the trip to Chicago for the race.
Carolina Garibay
All 50 states and 100 countries were represented in this year's marathon, but plenty of locals were also out running, including Saul Armas of Chicago.
"It's my first time running the marathon," he said. "I'm excited, nervous."
Armas said he did not train much for the race but was feeling confident and inspired by other runners.
"I'm just going off of pure vibes. I'm just going at my pace," he said. "Seeing all these people makes me want to keep on running. I'm going to cross that finish line, for sure."
Carolina Garibay
And cheering them on were excited friends and family, who lined the streets of Chicago with signs, noisemakers and lots of enthusiasm.
"I'm nervous, excited, all of the above," said Amanda Carballea ahead of watching her boyfriend run the marathon.
"I was his pacer, actually, so I followed him on a bike, on roller skates, so I got to see firsthand every time he fell, every time he climbed back up, and it's just been an incredible journey," she said.
