Carey Pinkowski

CEO & PRESIDENT

Carey Pinkowski came to the helm of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon three decades ago, serving as its executive race director since 1990. During his tenure, the Chicago Marathon has experienced astronomical growth, expanding from 6,000 registered participants in 1990 to a record 52,150 finishers in 2024, including participants from all 50 states and more than 130 countries. For 35 years, Pinkowski has been a key player in building the Marathon’s dynamic relationships with the city, the corporate community and the local neighborhoods along the course.  

Under Pinkowski’s leadership, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon delivers far more than fast performances. Each year, the event generates an economic impact on the City of Chicago of $547 million, and, since 2002, thousands of runners have helped the event’s Charity Program raise more than $322 million for local, national and global causes.  

In 2006, Pinkowski utilized his experience as Executive Race Director of the Chicago Marathon to help found the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM). Pinkowski, along with the organizers of the Boston, London, Berlin and New York City marathons, created a series with the mission of providing global leadership in professional and mass participation marathons. The Tokyo Marathon and Sydney Marathon entered the collective in 2013 and 2024 respectively. These industry-leading organizations are now united in their effort to advance the sport, raise awareness of marathons’ elite athletes and inspire the world through marathons. 

Pinkowski’s legacy with the Chicago Marathon includes designing its record setting and spectator friendly course, starting and finishing in Chicago’s Grant Park. The course design allows for more than 1.7 million spectators to watch the race, making the marathon an annual gathering for the entire City of Chicago. Six of the Chicago Marathon’s seven world records have been set during Pinkowski’s time: Morocco’s Khalid Khannouchi (1999), Kenya’s Catherine Ndereba (2001), Great Britain’s Paula Radcliffe (2002), Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei (2019), Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum (2023) and Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich (2024). Great Britain’s Steve Jones recorded Chicago’s first-ever world record in 1984. 

To commemorate his 20th anniversary as Executive Race Director, the City of Chicago and Bank of America bestowed Pinkowski with an honorary street naming – “Carey Pinkowski Drive” – at the intersection of Monroe Street and Columbus Drive, the site of the race’s start line.