 The Modern Era Chicago Marathon was founded over the objection of Ed Kelly , Chicago Parks Superintendent who refused permission to run in the parks or along the Lake Michigan lakefront . With the help of Lee Flaherty , the event 's founder who operated out of Flair House in the Near North Side community area of Chicago , Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley 's support for the marathon was enlisted . Although Mayor Daley died , his successor Michael Anthony Bilandic approved the race and got Kelly on board . Michael Bilandic , a runner , and his wife actually passed out medals at the first marathon on September 25 , 1977 . This first edition of the modern Chicago Marathon was called the Mayor Daley Marathon . Flaherty footed the bill for the first race , which had no sponsors . He again footed the bill in 1978 when the race was again called the Mayor Daley Marathon . In 1979 , however , Beatrice Foods became the first race sponsor . 
