Event Rules & Guidelines

EVENT RULES & GUIDELINES APPLICABLE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS
The following event rules and guidelines are intended to help produce and direct a large scale event, to ensure the safety of all participants, to meet the requirements of local government permits and to be compliant with applicable USA Track & Field (USATF) and International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) regulations for participant performance records and event liability.

PARTICIPATION

• Registrants must be capable of completing the full distance, start line to finish line, within event time requirement (6 hours, 30 minutes).
• To register, you must be 16 years of age or older on event day. Individuals under 18 years of age must have a statement signed by their parent or legal guardian permitting participation.
• Each participant must sign an event waiver before participating in the event. Registrants under 18 years of age must have applicant wavier signed by parent or legal guardian.
• The event time requirement and age minimum apply to all forms of entry and event participation.
• Any participant seeking accommodation in respect of a disability must submit a written request to the Registration Manager, Howard Kambara, at the following e-mail address:registration@chicagomarathon.com
• Participant race number bibs are specific personal identifiers and may not be exchanged with or transferred/ sold to any other person.
• Sale and/or transfer of race entry/bibs is strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future events.
• The Bank of America Chicago Marathon maintains a no refund, no transfer, and no deferment policy. Exceptions to the policy may be made only in the event of military deployment, bereavement, or critical illness. In such cases, additional documentation may be required before your refund request is processed. All exception requests must be made prior to the event.
• Registration closure is determined and announced when event participation reaches the established capacity of 45,000 participants.

PACKET (BIB NUMBER) PICK-UP

• Each participant must provide photo identification at the time of Participant Packet Pick-Up, verifying identity as the registrant, to whom the event bib number is assigned.
• In the event a registered participant wishes to have another individual pick up his/her Participant Packet, the registered participant must provide that individual with his/her confirmation ticket and that individual must provide photo identification and sign to release the Participant Packet.
• Participants are responsible for verifying that the timing device provided within the Participant Packet or the participant’s own device is working properly prior to the race and worn correctly during the race. Any problems with the timing device must be addressed at the Participant Services Desk at the time of Packet Pick-Up.

EVENT DAY

• Participants must follow instructions as given from all event officials including race staff, volunteers, medical personnel, security officers and city officials throughout the duration of the event.
• All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner during their participation in the event. This means, for example, that urinating or defecating anywhere on or near the course shall be strictly prohibited except in toilet facilities. Anyone violating this rule of conduct shall be disqualified from the event and will be asked to leave the course.
• Every participant shall be provided with an event bib number, which shall be conspicuously worn on the front (and back when applicable) during the event. The event bib number is to be worn as issued. No participant shall be permitted to participate in the event without the appropriate bib number.
• The use of video devices, cell phones, computers, cameras or any similar devices by participants while in the event is prohibited.
• The use of wheeled devices by participants or any other person authorized to be on the course shall be strictly limited to (a) authorized and registered competitive wheelchair participants and (b) authorized course marshals on bicycles. Baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles or any other wheeled device will not be permitted on the course.
• Participants must begin the event during the official recognized starting times.
• The course will remain secured until the 15:00/mile pace Official End Vehicle crosses the finish line. At that time, the event is officially concluded and there will be no traffic protection and aid stations will cease operation.

 THE START

• Participants will be assigned to “start corrals” in accordance with time qualifying standards established each year by the event management. Assignments will be based on verification of qualifying performances submitted or performed by participants. Participants will be notified of start corral assignments by mail on their confirmation ticket or they may utilize the online registration confirmation option to ensure proper assignment once proof of the qualifying standard has been supplied. Additional qualifying information is available on the event Web site: chicagomarathon.com
• All participants are responsible for knowing the race’s start time and check-in method for their start corral. All seeded participants must be present at the appointed time to receive instructions and to participate in the Official Start of the race.
• Participants shall assemble for the race in their assigned start corral no less than 15 minutes prior to the race start. Any athlete attempting to enter the wrong start corral shall be required to start after all other participants have crossed the start line.
• All Participants shall enter the start corral from the rear unless otherwise directed by an event official. Any person who climbs the fence or otherwise enters improperly shall be disqualified from the event.
• All participants must be positioned behind the line when starting.

COURSE MONITORING

• Any participant who refuses to obey the directions of the event official, city official or course marshal, or who conducts himself/herself in an unsportsmanlike manner, or who is offensive by action or language to officials, volunteers, participants or spectators may be disqualified by the event and future participation at the discretion of race officials.
• No participant, after leaving the course, shall be allowed to rejoin the race either for the purpose of gaining a place or to pace or to assist another participant.
• Any participant who has been found by a course marshal, event official or surveillance equipment to have gained an unfair advantage by intentionally shortening the route of the race (“cutting the course”) shall be immediately disqualified from the event.
• A participant who has received any assistance whatsoever from any other person may be disqualified by the event. “Assistance” includes without limitation  the conveying of advice, information, or direct or indirect help to an athlete by any means, including a technical communication devices. It also includes pacing in running or walking events by persons not participating in the event. It does not include participation of an officially designated pacesetter in the race, provided such pacesetters start in the event.
• Any person who participates in the event without a current official event bib number or timing device or a bib or chip not officially assigned to him/her is subject to removal and disqualification from future events.
• No persons are authorized to be on the course unless they are registered participants. Therefore, no person shall be allowed to accompany a participant if he/she is not registered in the event, nor shall any participant be allowed, without the permission of the event management, to receive assistance or refreshment from anyone during the progress of the event. Any person not properly displaying an authorized and issued bib number shall be directed to leave the course.
• A hands-on medical examination during the progress of an event by officially designated medical personnel shall not be considered assistance and will not result in disqualification if participant is deemed medically fit.

PARTICIPANT SAFETY

• The use of video devices, cell phones, computers, cameras or any similar devices by participants while in the event is prohibited. The use of wheeled devices by participants or any other person authorized to be on the course shall be strictly limited to (a) authorized and registered competitive wheelchair participants and (b) authorized course marshals on bicycles. Baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles or any other wheeled device will not be permitted.
• Participants are responsible for their recognition and understanding of event signage, symbols and color relating to participant maps, facilities and direction.
• Medical personnel authorized by the event to do so may examine any participant who appears in distress. If in the sole opinion of authorized medical personnel it is in the best interest of the participant’s health and welfare, medical personnel may remove the participant from the event.
• Participants must retire at once from race if ordered to do so by a member of the event’s official staff, official medical staff, or any governmental authority, including fire and police officers.
• Participants are responsible and assume liability for any and all medical expenses incurred as a result of training for and/or participation in the event, including but not limited to ambulance transport, hospital stays, physician and pharmaceutical goods and services.
• Event officials reserve the right to delay, cancel, or suspend the race due to inclement weather in accordance with Emergency Protocol on severe emergencies and/or inclement weather.

 RESULT TIMING

• All participants are assigned a timing device prior to the event in their Participant Packet.
• Clock time (gun time) is the official time for professional athletes, Elite Development Program participants and Wheelchair participants. The official times shall be recorded from the start of the race by the air horn to the point where the participant crosses the finish line. Times shall be rounded to the next highest second. Net times shall not be used for any purpose regarding professional athletes or Elite Development Program participants.
• Official times for participants in Start Corrals A through D and the Open Start will be the electronic timing device time (net time) from when the participant crosses the start line to the point where the participant crosses the finish line.
• Participants must wear their assigned timing device continuously attached to their shoe, from start line to finish line, to receive an accurate finish time.
• Participant net times greater than the event time requirement (6 hours, 30 minutes) will not be recognized as official.

TIMING DISQUALIFICATION

• Participants found to be wearing two or more timing devices during the race will be disqualified and their results will not be recorded.
• Participants with missing timing device times at official checkpoints will be reviewed and may be disqualified.
• All participant timing device times are reviewed before participant times are designated official.
• Participants must begin the event during the official recognized starting time in order to register an official course completion time.

 PRIZE MONEY

• Under the rules of IAAF and USATF, doping is strictly forbidden.
• All times and placements of finish are reviewed and deemed official before cash awards are distributed.
• Any U.S. citizen who qualifies for prize money may be required to pay taxes on the gross amount. W-9 forms with a Social Security Number or Tax ID and signature is required by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• Any non U.S. citizen who qualifies for prize money may be subject to Income Tax withholding, which will be deducted from the prize money as required by the United States IRS.
• The age of a participant on the day of the race determines his or her Masters classification. If age verification is requested, only a birth certificate or a U.S. passport will be acceptable proof of age.

EXCEPTION

• Any individual requesting a waiver of any of these rules (with the exception of refunds) shall submit a written request no less than 30 days prior to the event date specifying the nature of and reasons for the request.

AMMENDMENTS / RESERVATIONS / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Event officials reserve the right, to modify, supplement or waive all or part of the event rules.
• Participants shall be bound by any modification or supplement of the event rules published prior to the event.
• Failure to follow these event rules, as may be amended, will result in immediate disqualification, loss of prize money and removal from official results.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon follows, and participants are subject to, the rules specified by USATF and IAAF. Please visit usatf.org and iaaf.org for additional information concerning the rules mandated by the governing bodies for the sport.