March 9, 2025 update: thank you for wanting to save lives through running!  As of now, our 2025 spots are all committed and our waitlist is full.

For the past two years, our Bank of America Chicago Marathon team has filled up by mid-December.  We hope you will apply in October/November 2025 for our 2026 team!  

Second City Canine Rescue is proud to be a charity partner for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. It’s one thing to run a marathon, it’s a whole other level to run a marathon AND save lives at the same time!

Second City Canine Rescue (SCCR) is a non-profit dog rescue that operates all over the Chicago area with an Adoption Center in Palatine.  We were so excited to have recently found a home for our 6,300th dog!

We rescue dogs from local government shelters like Chicago Animal Care and Control as well as dogs outside Illinois. Our motto is rescuing responsiblySM —meaning we put a lot of time and effort into our dogs to ensure they are ready to be part of a family and we place them with adopters who are a match for their temperament and energy level to ensure each dog has the best chance of finding their forever home.

If you join our run for the dogs team, SCCR guarantees you a spot in the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon along with other perks based on the level you choose.  In return, you commit to fundraising (or paying out of pocket) a minimum amount in donations to help our dogs.

Are you ready to apply for our team?

SCCR’s Run for the Dogs Fundraising Level Options

Base Entry

Fundraising minimum $2,200*

At this level, runners receive:

  • Guaranteed 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon entry (runner pays the entry fee)
  • Personalized SCCR “run for the dogs” marathon shirt and a training shirt
  • 15% off a marathon training package from Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA)
  • Fundraising assistance by SCCR’s fundraising professional
  • A personalized, online fundraising page
  • Free and exclusive use of SCCR’s Adoption Center for fundraising parties with puppies!
  • Opportunity to purchase a hotel room in SCCR’s block near the starting line
  • SCCR Pasta and Puppies party the day before the Chicago Marathon
  • SCCR gear check and breakfast the day of the Chicago Marathon near the starting line
  • SCCR Chicago Marathon cheer section so friends and family can cheer you on as you run

*we have a limited number of spots available for SCCR volunteers, adopters, and prior run-for-the-dogs team members with a reduced fundraising minimum of $1,600. Applicants interested in this discounted minimum must apply by November 15, 2024.

Big Dog Entry

Fundraising minimum $2,700

At this level, runners receive all of the Base Entry perks, plus:

  • Runner’s choice of one of the following:
    • SCCR-paid marathon training package from Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA); or
    • One night in an SCCR-paid hotel room near the marathon starting line
  • A second SCCR “run for the dogs” training shirt

Top Dog Entry

Fundraising minimum $3,300

At this level, runners receive all of the Base Entry perks, plus:

  • Runner’s choice of TWO of the following three options:
    • SCCR-paid marathon training package from Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) which includes marathon day perks;
    • One night in an SCCR-paid hotel room near the marathon starting line;
    • A second night in an SCCR-paid hotel room near the marathon starting line
  • A second SCCR “run for the dogs” training shirt plus a hat

How fundraising for SCCR’s Run for the Dogs team works

  1. To apply to join our team, review the above entry levels and complete the below application form. (application button removed as waitlist is full)
  2. SCCR will email you and let you know if we have space on our team and will send you our Team Contract to e-sign. 
  3. Once this Team Contract is fully signed by both you and SCCR, you are guaranteed a spot in 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon AND you have contracted to fundraise or pay out of pocket your chosen entry level minimum.
  4. To break your fundraising into less intimidating bites, we set four milestones:
    1. March 1, 2025: You will have raised $250 on your fundraising page by this date. If your fundraising page isn’t at $250 by this date, SCCR will charge your credit card on file to get you up to $250.
    2. May 1, 2025: You will have raised $750 on your fundraising page by this date. If your fundraising page isn’t at $750 by this date, SCCR will charge your credit card on file to get you up to $750.
      1. You can also withdraw from SCCR’s run for the dogs team by this date and be released from the remainder of your fundraising commitment.
    3. July 1, 2025: You will have raised $1,300 on your fundraising page by this date. If your fundraising page isn’t at $1,300 by this date, SCCR will charge your credit card on file to get you up to $1,300.
    4. October 1, 2025: You will have completed your fundraising minimum. If your fundraising page isn’t at your fundraising minimum by this date, SCCR will charge your credit card on file to get you up to the minimum.

Our Bank of America Chicago Marathon spots are limited, so once you commit to joining our run for the dogs team, we will rely on your fundraising as part of our annual budget.

Your Second City Canine Rescue team liaison is Development Director Christina Morrison (she/her).  Please email her with any questions at christina@sccrescue.org

We are so excited to have you join our next run for the dogs team!