SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8

  

  Abbott Health & Fitness Expo

  McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, Hall D
  11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

  Visit Abbott Health & Fitness Expo page for more information.

• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

  

  Abbott Health & Fitness Expo

  McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, Hall D
  9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

  Visit Abbott Health & Fitness Expo page for more information.

• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

  

  Abbott Chicago 5K

  Start line: Ida B. Wells Drive (between Columbus Drive and Michigan Avenue)
  Finish line: Wacker Drive and Adams Street
  Race start: 7:30 a.m.

  Visit chicago5k.com for more information.

  Abbott Health & Fitness Expo

  McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, Hall D
  9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

  Visit Abbott Health & Fitness Expo page for more information.

• SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

  

  Bank of America Chicago Marathon

  Grant Park

  Grant Park opens to runners: 5:30 a.m.
  Gear check opens: 5:30 a.m.
  Start corrals open: 5:30 a.m.
  Wave 1 start corrals close: 7:20 a.m.
  Men’s Professional Wheelchair Start: 7:20 a.m.
  Women’s Professional Wheelchair Start: 7:21 a.m.
  Handcycle Start: 7:23 a.m.
  Men’s and Women’s Professional Start: 7:30 a.m.
  High Performance Program Start: 7:32: a.m.
  Wave 1 Start: 7:35 a.m.
  Wave 2 start corrals close: 7:45 a.m.
  Wave 2 Start: 8:00 a.m.
  Wave 3 start corrals close: 8:10 a.m.
  Wave 3 Start: 8:35 a.m.
  Grant Park opens to spectators: 9:30 a.m.
  27th Mile Post-Race Party starts: 9:30 a.m.
  Gear check closes: 4:00 p.m.
  27th Mile Post-Race Party ends: 4:00 p.m.

• BANK OF AMERICA SHAMROCK SHUFFLE CHEER ZONE – 8K

  

  Cheer on runners as they shamROCK through the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Cheer Zone located in Lincoln Park at the 8K mark. The Shamrock Shuffle is the kickoff to the Chicago running season and is a continuation of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Visit shamrockshuffle.com for more information.

• BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO 13.1 CHEER ZONE – MILE 13.1

  

  Reimagine the run and celebrate Chicago’s West Side at the halfway point of the course! The fifth annual Bank of America Chicago 13.1 will take place on June 7, 2026, running through the historic parks, boulevards and vibrant culture of Garfield Park, Humboldt Park and Douglass Park. Visit chicago13point1.com to learn more.

• CHARITY BLOCK PARTY – MILE 15

  

  Thousands of Bank of America Chicago Marathon participants run and fundraise on behalf of important local, national and global causes. To celebrate the impact these participants make, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon hosts a Charity Block Party near Mile 15. Spectators, family and friends can cheer on their charity runners at the Charity Block Party, located at Adams Street and Loomis Street near Whitney Young High School.

• BANK OF AMERICA CHEER ZONES

  

  Join Bank of America to make some noise supporting race participants at one of our on-course Cheer Zones located at Mile 13 on N. Wacker in front of Bank of America Tower and again at Mile 26, close to the finish line, near Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road. Entertainment, cheer items and more will be available.

• COMMUNITY CHEER ZONES

  

  Run clubs, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups and more line the course on race day as Community Cheer Zones!

  If you have questions, please contact communityrelations@cemevent.com.

• CHEERING RESPONSIBLY

  

  Words of encouragement and cheers of support from spectators have helped thousands of participants cross the finish line at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. As you prepare for race day, please keep the following in mind:

  • Respect the racecourse. The racecourse stretches the full length of the street, from curb to curb. As we anticipate the largest field in event history at this year’s race, it is imperative that spectators do not enter the racecourse. This keeps both participants and spectators safe. Spectators also may not decorate the street surface with any material, including temporary decorations such as decals or sidewalk chalk.
  • Respect the environment. If you bring anything to your cheer area, please take it with you when you leave. This includes signs, tents and any trash you may generate on race day. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon strongly discourages the use of confetti canons due to the significant waste that is left on the streets that can harm the environment and wildlife. These machines also produce a startling noise created by the cannon which can be distressing to some. Please opt for cow bells or hand clappers to support your runners or just use your enthusiastic voices! If confetti canons are spotted on race day, you may be approached by an event official and asked to put it away. 
  • Respect the participants. Act in a courteous manner to create a fun, welcoming and celebratory experience for all participants. Participants are not allowed to accept food or beverages from spectators, so please refrain from creating an opportunity for them to violate this event rule.
  • Respect other spectators. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is a family-friendly event. We expect spectators of all ages, so please behave in a way appropriate for everyone. If you see spectators creating a disrespectful environment, please look to a course marshal, event staff member or city official for assistance.

• WATCH LIVE

  

  NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and TeleXitos will provide complete live TV coverage and live streaming of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in English and Spanish. The NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and TeleXitos live television broadcasts will air from 7 – 11 a.m. CT and the live stream will be available at nbcchicago.com and telemundochicago.com, on the NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago apps, and on the stations’ Roku and Apple TV channels, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT.

  

• LISTEN LIVE

  

  670 The Score Sports Radio will provide complete live radio coverage of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on race day from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Listen to Josh Liss and expert analysts provide a play-by-play of all the exciting action. Download the free Audacy app to listen from anywhere.

  Tune in before the race to listen to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon preview shows featuring running experts and the Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director, Carey Pinkowski.