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Anthony Rizzo celebrates after hitting a solo home run off of Madison Bumgarner #40 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Chase Field on July 16, 2021.

Former Chicago Cubs star Anthony Rizzo is taking on a new challenge, announcing that he plans to run the 2026 Chicago Marathon in support of a cause that has long been personal to him. The three-time All-Star and World Series champion revealed the news this week, adding another meaningful chapter to his connection with the city of Chicago.

Rizzo, who spent a decade as one of the faces of the Cubs franchise, has remained closely tied to Chicago since his playing days at Wrigley Field. While he is best known for his power at the plate and leadership in the clubhouse, the 2026 marathon announcement highlights a different side of the former first baseman–one focused on endurance, community, and philanthropy.

Running for a Cause Close to Home

Rizzo’s decision to run the Chicago Marathon is centered on fundraising for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which supports cancer research and provides assistance to children and families battling the disease. Rizzo himself is a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma early in his baseball career.

“My passion for raising money for pediatric cancer comes from something I lived through myself. Before I was a World Series champ or even close to the big leagues, I was an 18-year-old kid trying to chase a dream. Then I got hit with a diagnosis I never saw coming–Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Rizzo said on his fundraising page.

“Going through chemo was brutal. It was scary, painful, and completely threw my life off track. But even in the middle of all that, what really opened my eyes was seeing the families around me. Parents sleeping in hospital chairs, kids fighting like absolute warriors, siblings trying to keep it together–it was humbling.”

That personal history has shaped much of Rizzo’s charitable work over the years. The foundation has raised millions of dollars through events, partnerships, and community outreach, and the marathon represents another opportunity to expand its impact while drawing attention to an important mission.

“It hits everyone. When I finished treatment and was eventually told I was in remission, I made myself a promise: if baseball ever gave me a platform, I’d use it to help families going through what mine went through,” Rizzo wrote.

A New Kind of Athletic Challenge

For a former Major League Baseball player, training for a 26.2-mile race presents a dramatically different physical challenge. Baseball demands explosive movements, strength, and quick reactions, while marathon running requires sustained endurance, disciplined pacing, and months of structured preparation.

Rizzo acknowledged that the transition from professional baseball conditioning to distance running will not be easy. However, he emphasized that the challenge itself is part of the appeal, especially when paired with a meaningful goal beyond the finish line.

The Chicago Marathon, one of the World Marathon Majors, offers a fitting stage for that challenge. With its flat, fast course and massive crowds, the race draws elite athletes, charity runners, and first-timers alike, creating an atmosphere that blends competition with community support.

Rizzo’s Enduring Connection to Chicago

Few former athletes maintain the kind of lasting bond with a city that Rizzo has with Chicago. As a cornerstone of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship, Rizzo’s legacy is deeply woven into the city’s sports identity, and his continued presence at community events has kept him in the public eye.

After being traded in 2021 and spending four seasons with the New York Yankees, Rizzo officially retired from Major League Baseball in September, closing the door on a decorated playing career. Since stepping away from the field, he has taken on a new role as an ambassador for the Cubs, further solidifying his long-standing relationship with the organization and the city.

The Chicago Marathon’s Charity Tradition

The Chicago Marathon has long been one of the premier charity-running platforms in the world. Each year, thousands of runners raise funds for nonprofit organizations, collectively generating tens of millions of dollars through race participation.

“We are awed by the incredible fundraising put forth by last year’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity participants,” Executive Race Director, Carey Pinkowski, said. “Training for and participating in a marathon takes a huge amount of dedication, and to add the work of fundraising onto the work of training shows how committed these participants are to their causes.

“The $47.1 million they raised will make a meaningful difference in the world, and we are so honored our charity participants chose the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as the vehicle for their fundraising.”

Rizzo’s involvement fits squarely within that tradition, but his profile brings additional visibility. His announcement may inspire fans and fellow athletes to consider participating, donating, or supporting charitable entries tied to causes they care about.

“The countdown to October 11, 2026 is on, let the training begin!” Rizzo said via X.

Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski