The buzz around the upcoming 2025 Bank of America Chicago MarathonChicago, Illinois isn’t just about the 26.2‑mile slog through the Windy City—it’s also about a sleek new mobile tool that promises fans and runners a front‑row seat to every mile.
Powered by Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS) and bearing the name of title sponsor Bank of America, the official marathon app went live on the Apple App Store and Google Play in October 2024. It’s free, and as of the October 2, 2025 update it’s already been downloaded more than 100,000 times, even though the rating sits at a modest 2.7 stars from 618 reviewers.
For a race that traditionally draws over 45,000 participants, keeping track of who’s where can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. The app turns that haystack into a searchable map, letting spectators tap a runner’s bib and watch live GPS data as the athlete weaves through the streets, from the start near Grant Park to the finish line back in the same park.
“We wanted to give families the same thrill they get watching TV, but in real time and on the streets where the action happens,” said Lisa Goodwin, Marathon Director for the Chicago Marathon Organization. “The app does that while also serving as a hub for weather, athlete bios, and even a chance to cheer.”
All of this lives inside a clean interface that mirrors the official Grant Park layout, making it easy to visualise where the next hydration station or medical tent sits.
According to the Google Play store, the app has crossed the 100,000‑download mark—a notable figure when you consider the marathon’s total participant pool. However, the 2.7‑star rating hints at some friction points: users complain about occasional GPS lag and a clunky cheer‑submission flow.
One reviewer wrote, “I loved seeing my dad’s progress, but the map froze for a minute right at the halfway point.” Another said, “The weather alerts saved me from a sudden downpour—totally worth it.” TCS says it’s rolling out a performance patch on race day to smooth those hiccups.
TCS has been the marathon’s digital partner since at least 2013, as the Android package name com.tcs.chicagomarathon2013 suggests. The firm’s cloud infrastructure handles the torrent of data packets that flood the servers once the gun fires at 7:30 a.m.
“We built a scalable platform that can ingest location data from thousands of devices simultaneously,” explained Arun Reddy, senior engineer at TCS. “Our focus is low latency, so a runner’s position updates on the screen within seconds.”
The same backend also powers the real‑time weather widget, pulling data from the National Weather Service API and tailoring alerts to specific neighborhoods along the route.
For participants, the app replaces a paper bib‑check with a digital one, reducing the need to line up at checkpoints. Spectators, especially those traveling from other states, can now follow a loved one’s progress without guessing which mile marker they’re at.
The city benefits too. By funneling crowd‑management information through the app—such as road closures, transport options, and hydrate‑station locations—Chicago can better allocate police and medical resources, easing the logistical strain that marathon weekends typically bring.
Looking ahead, the marathon board is already eyeing augmented‑reality features that could overlay historical race footage onto the live map. There’s also talk of integrating a biometric dashboard for elite athletes, letting coaches see heart‑rate trends in real time.
Regardless of the tech upgrades, the core promise stays the same: a more connected experience for anyone who cares about the race, whether you’re cheering from a balcony in Chicago or watching from a living room across the country.
After downloading the app, users tap the ‘Track’ tab, enter the runner’s bib number or scan the QR code shared by the participant. The map then displays the runner’s real‑time position, distance covered, and estimated finish time.
According to the Google Play privacy statement, the app does not sell or share user data with advertisers. All location data is stored temporarily for race‑day functionality and deleted afterward.
Cheer messages go through a curation process; only a selection appears on the LED screens along the course. The app notifies users whether their cheer made the final cut, but there’s no guarantee of display.
The app relies on GPS and mobile data. In parts of the route where cellular coverage dips, location updates may pause briefly, but the platform caches data and syncs once the signal returns.
It pulls live forecasts from the National Weather Service and pushes push‑notifications for sudden changes—like thunderstorms or high winds—so runners and spectators can adjust plans on the fly.
poornima khot
Hey folks, as a coach I love anything that helps families stay connected during a race. This app is a solid step forward, especially for those cheering from afar. The live GPS updates let you see exactly where your loved one is without having to hunt down a bib. The weather alerts are a nice safety net, and the digital cheer feature adds a personal touch. Just make sure your phone is charged because the map can drain battery fast.