Thank you so much for your interest in running the Chicago Marathon for Survival, which will take place on 11 October, 2026. The Chicago Marathon is one the 7 World Marathon Majors, and one of the largest by number of finishers in the world. This is the first time Survival is sending a charity runners to the event, and we are so proud to be offered places there.
The Chicago Marathon places are coveted and costly. And as a small charity, Survival only is able to have a small Chicago Marathon contingent every year. We do ask that our runners pay a £200 refundable deposit after their registration is accepted. We also ask that they agree to fundraise in aid of Survival one of the pledged minimum fundraising commitments, starting from £2,500. If we receive more applications than we have places for, we will prioritise applicants who pledge to raise more and have a well-thought-through and robust fundraising plan.
The funds you raise will go directly to our campaigns that fight alongside tribal and Indigenous peoples all over the world. The Marathon organizers chose Survival International as part of their international outreach. As such, they encourage registrations from people who are not USA residents at this time. If you live in the USA and still wish to apply, please fill out the form and wait for an email from us.
Please complete the form below for a chance to become a Survival Chicago Marathon runner. After filling in all the fields, read the terms and conditions below carefully as they contain information about fundraising during the marathon. Once you've completed registration, we'll let you know the outcome of your application.
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Registration form
Survival’s T&CS Chicago Marathon participation terms and conditions
Minimum fundraising commitment
- Survival International has a limited number of places. You can apply if you pledge to compete in the 2026 TCS Chicago Marathon for Survival, and pay in a declared sponsorship equal to or greater than the minimum fundraising commitment you selected in the form above (minimum £2,500). Matched funding does not count towards the minimum fundraising commitment.
- Survival International will determine eligible applicants based on a selection process that ensures that places are used to the best possible effect.
£200 Deposit for registration
- You agree to pay a £200 deposit to Survival International as a guarantee that you will raise or exceed the amount you pledged in your application form. Survival International will refund your deposit no later than 28 days after you have paid in your pledged amount of sponsorship money.
- If your application is successful, Survival International will contact you to explain how to make your payment of the deposit. You must pay the deposit within 10 days of notification; otherwise, you may risk losing your guaranteed place to another applicant.
- You understand that Survival International reserves the right to keep all your £200 deposit if you pay less than your pledged amount on 11 December 2026. Additionally, you will have to fundraise and pay in:
- 20% of your pledged minimum fundraising commitment by 1 June 2026;
- 40% of your pledged minimum fundraising commitment by 1 August 2026;
- You understand that if you believe you are unable to meet the pledged minimum fundraising commitment by any of the above dates, you agree to withdraw your registration immediately. You understand that you will notify Survival International as soon as this becomes apparent.
Paying your sponsorship to Survival
- Any existing regular donations that you make to Survival do not form part of the total raised through sponsorship.
- Monies reclaimed by Survival under the HMRC Gift Aid scheme do not count towards the total value of your sponsorship.
- Survival will advise you on the recommended way(s) to pay in your sponsorship. This is to ensure that Survival can easily trace the funds that you pay in. Survival cannot be liable for cheques lost in the post, or monies paid to Survival in any way other than those specified by Survival.
The amount, which Survival deems to have been raised by you, will be the amount that Survival has recognized as having been paid into its bank account by you. - The payment deadline for sponsorship is 11 December 2026. If you need more time to collect sponsorship, please let Survival know in writing in advance of this date. Survival will refund your £200 deposit within 28 days of receiving sponsorship payments that equal or exceed the value of the amount that you pledge.
Cancelling a place
- If you cancel your place because you have gained your own place in the 2026 TCS Chicago Marathon’s general ballot, and you are still running to raise funds for Survival, you must notify Survival by 31 July 2026. Survival will refund your £200 deposit and re-allocate your place to a runner on its reserve list. If you do not contact Survival by this date, you risk forfeiting part or all of your £200 deposit.
- If you decide not to run for Survival at any stage, your £200 deposit will not be refunded.
- If you sustain a training injury after 31 July 2026, please inform Survival in writing before race day. Please include a letter from your physician verifying your training injury. It is important that you do not take part in the 2026 TCS Chicago Marathon unless you are completely fit to do so. Survival will defer your place and £200 deposit to the following year. However, you must agree to the Terms and Conditions that Survival publishes for the 2026 Chicago Marathon. This includes any increase in the amount of sponsorship money you pledge to raise.
- You confirm you are age 18 or over.