CHICAGO SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES 65 YEARS OF GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AT THE 2025 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is more than a world-class race — it's a global gathering. This year, Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI), an initiative of World Business Chicago, will mark its 65th anniversary by showcasing the city's extensive global partnerships through a series of activities along the marathon course and at pre-race events.

From receptions that welcome international runners to cheering stations reflecting Chicago's 28 sister city relationships, CSCI will bring together residents and visitors alike in a celebration of cultural exchange and international friendship. The effort highlights how Chicago's deep global connections fuel civic pride and reinforce the city's role as a hub of global engagement.

CSCI Activations:

• Expo Booth – Open to the Public : CSCI will have a booth at The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, featuring exhibitors offering Bank of America Chicago Marathon merchandise, running footwear, apparel, nutrition, and technology. Visit CSCI volunteers at Chicago's McCormick Place from October 9-11 at this free and open-to-the-public expo.
  
  
• Cheering Stations – Open to the public and featured on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon app, these stations are a highlight each year for our volunteers, who look forward to welcoming runners — along with their families and friends — from around the globe. They bring unmatched energy, cultural pride, and Chicago hospitality to the racecourse.

• Gothenburg, Sweden Committee: On race day, the committee will have a cheering station at MILE 8 to support the Swedish marathon runners.
  
  
• Galway, Ireland Committee: On race day, the Galway Committee will also set up a cheering station at MILE 9.6 to support Irish runners as they conquer the marathon course.
  
  
• Toronto, Canada Committee: The Toronto Committee will proudly support Canadian runners at a cheering station located at MILE 9.75 ensuring a strong Canadian presence during the race.
  
  
• Warsaw, Poland Committee: Polish runners will find encouragement from the Warsaw Committee at their cheering station located at MILE 10, continuing a tradition of international support for the 65^th anniversary of Warsaw and Chicago's sister city relationship.
  
  
• Osaka, Japan Committee: The Osaka Committee will bring the beat to the marathon with a cheering station featuring the Ho Etsu Taiko Drums at MILE 11, from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM.
  
  
• Paris, France Committee: The Paris Committee, in partnership with the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association and Old Town Triangle Association, will support French runners with a cheering section at MILE 11.25.
  
  
• Hamburg, Germany Committee: The Hamburg Committee will host a cheering station for runners from Germany, cheering them on as they pass MILE 11.75.
  
  
• Sydney, Australia Committee: On race day, the Sydney Committee will support their athletes at a cheering station located at MILE 12.8.
  
  
• Bogota, Colombia Committee: On race day, the Bogota Committee will support their athletes from Colombia at a cheering station located at MILE 12.9.
  
  
• Kyiv, Ukraine Committee: The Kyiv Committee, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Running Club Chicago, will also host a cheering section for Ukrainian runners at MILE 13.4.
  
  
• Athens, Greece Committee: During the race, the Athens Committee can be found at MILE 17.2, cheering on the runners from Greece.
  
  
• Prague, Czech Republic Committee: The Prague Committee will also cheer on Czech runners at MILE 19.35.
  
  
• Durban, South Africa Committee: On race day, the Durban Committee will cheer for the South African runners alongside the Black Chicago Runners cheering station at MILE 24.4.
  
  
• Mexico City, Mexico Committee: The Mexico City Committee will support runners from Mexico at a cheering station located at MILE 25near the end of the race.
• Welcome Receptions - Closed to the public :

This year, nine Sister City Committees will host special welcome receptions for marathon runners from their respective countries. More than pre-race gatherings, these receptions are living examples of how Chicagoans open doors to the world — offering hospitality, building friendships, and deepening cultural ties:

• Athens, Greece Committee
• China Committee
• Durban, South Africa Committee
• Galway, Ireland Committee
• Gothenburg, Sweden Committee
• Kyiv, Ukraine Committee
• Milan, Italy Committee
• Prague, Czech Republic Committee
• Sydney, Australia Committee

This year's activations showcase the breadth of Chicago's global family, with sister city committees representing Athens, Bogota, China, Durban, Galway, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Kyiv, Mexico City, Milan, Osaka, Paris, Prague, Sydney, Toronto, and Warsaw. Together, they create a living mosaic of cultural pride and international friendship along the marathon route and at welcome receptions across the city. These events serve as a reminder that the Chicago Marathon is not just a local race but a celebration of the global connections that run through the heart of Chicago. Each Sister City Committee plays a vital role in showcasing their culture and supporting their runners — reinforcing Chicago's standing as a city that champions global unity through sports, culture, and friendship.

SOURCE World Business Chicago