Matthew Centrowitz Takes On Chicago Marathon in First Post-Track Effort
Matthew Centrowitz Takes On Chicago Marathon in First Post-Track Effort
Matthew Centrowitz, the 2016 Olympic 1500m champion, is set to toe the line in the Chicago Marathon, his first competitive road marathon effort.
As the fall racing season builds to a crescendo, all eyes will be on Chicago this Sunday—not just for elite marathoners chasing PRs, but for one of America’s most decorated milers making a bold transition. Matthew Centrowitz, the 2016 Olympic 1500m champion, is set to toe the line in the Chicago Marathon, marking what his first competitive road marathon after retiring from professional track racing.
A New Chapter For 1500m Olympic Gold Medalist
Centrowitz announced his retirement from the track in 2024, closing a storied career that included multiple U.S. titles, world championship medals, and that memorable gold in Rio. But even after stepping away from elite track competition, he didn’t leave running behind.
He’s stayed connected to the sport by doing commentary for FloTrack’s Athlete Lounge during the Diamond League season, offering insights, breaking down tactics, and sharing his unique perspective as a former elite miler.
From a training standpoint, he's shifting into what many would call a “second act”—blending serious racing and personal exploration with a step up to the marathon distance.
Compounding the intrigue is his strong relationship with Tracksmith, the Boston-based running brand. Centrowitz has joined them not only as an ambassador but also as an investor, citing his admiration for their craftsmanship and the people behind the brand. He’s spoken about how Tracksmith has played a meaningful role in his transition from professional track to “amateur” running life.
While this won’t be the first time Centrowitz has run Chicago—in 2024, he stepped in as a pacer for Keira D’Amato —this time the stakes feel different. In 2024, his role was tactical: pacing the top American women through target splits before D’Amato withdrew. Sunday’s run looks more like a personal milestone. Centrowitz has said his goal is to run sub-2:20.
From 1500m To 26.2
The jump from a tactical 1500-meter career to the marathon distance is not trivial. While his track training gave him leg speed and anaerobic capacity, the marathon demands entirely different systems and mental fatigue management over hours rather than minutes.
In interviews, he’s acknowledged that his “amateur” status doesn’t mean sloppiness in preparation; he’s racing thoughtfully, respecting the distance, and viewing the marathon as a bridge to the next chapters ahead.
He’s also leaning into the running community and the stories that come with it. Partnering with Tracksmith shows this isn’t just a one-off experiment—it’s part of a bigger approach to running, enjoying the process, and valuing effort no matter the pace.
How To Track Runners During Chicago Marathon 2025
There will be a lot happening in Chicago during the week of the 2025 Chicago Marathon, and with the help of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon App, Powered by Tata Consultancy Services, participants and fans can stay in the know.
Through the app, everyone can track athletes, check out the profiles of the professional athletes, watch the race stream, check in on the weather, see the course map, donate to charities and more.
The app is available in the App Store and Google Play Store.
How To Watch The Chicago Marathon 2025 In The United States
FloTrack also will provide results, editorial content and more.
In the United States, the race will be broadcast local on NBC 5 Chicago or nbcchicago.com, Telemundo Chicago or telemundochicago.com, while a variety of other global partners will bring the action to all corners of the world.
2025 Chicago Marathon Schedule
- Marathon Wheelchair Start (men): 7:20 a.m.
- Marathon Wheelchair Start (women): 7:21 a.m.
- Marathon Handcycle Start: 7:23 a.m.
- Marathon Wave 1 Start: 7:30 a.m.
- Marathon Wave 2 Start: 8 a.m.
- Marathon Wave 3 Start: 8:35 a.m.
- Spectator access to Grant Park begins: 9:30 a.m.
Course Map For The 2025 Chicago Marathon
Check out the route for the 2025 Chicago Marathon here.
How Many 2025 Chicago Marathon Entries Are There?
As one of the largest marathons in the world, there are around 50,000 entries in the Chicago Marathon each year.
When Is The Chicago Marathon 2025
The 47th Chicago Marathon is on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
FloTrack Is The Streaming Home For Many Track And Field Meets Each Year
Don’t miss all the track and field season action streaming on FloTrack. Check out the FloTrack schedule for more events.
FloTrack Archived Footage
Video footage from each event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloTrack subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.
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