Chicago is your start line in

EXPO & PACKET PICK-UP

The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo features exhibitors offering Bank of America Chicago Marathon merchandise and the latest in running footwear, apparel, nutrition and technology. Additionally, the Health & Fitness Expo is the home of the participant packet pick-up for all Marathon participants. Held at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the three-day Expo is free and open to the public.

We ask that all Abbott Health & Fitness Expo attendees refrain from bringing large bags and/or luggage to the Health & Fitness Expo. Please note that all attendees will be subject to a security screening upon entering the Health & Fitness Expo.

Location & hours
Participant packet pick-up
Expo transportation
Expo Main Stage
Marketing opportunities

LOCATION & HOURS

McCormick Place

Lakeside Center, Hall D
2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive*
Chicago, IL 60616

Thursday, October 9

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, October 10

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, October 11

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Times are subject to change.

*For driving and parking, use the above address for the best access to the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo. The publicly listed mailing address for McCormick Place is 2301 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

PARTICIPANT PACKET PICK-UP

Participant packet items include:

Bib number* and safety pins
MYLAPS ThinTag timing device
Gear check tag
Nike participant running shirt
Participant bag

*Registered participants age 21 and over will receive a tag on their bib number redeemable for one beer following the race.

Packet Pick-up is located at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, McCormick Place. Participants must present their Packet Pick-up email along with a photo ID to receive their participant packet and participant bag.

You must pick up your participant packet and participant bag in person at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo during regularly scheduled hours. These items (participant packets, bags and running shirts) will not be available for pickup on race day, and will not be mailed. Individuals will not be allowed to pick up these items on behalf of others.

TRANSPORTATION

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) transit tips

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers an economical and convenient way to get to and from the Health & Fitness Expo. Learn more about CTA fares and transit directions to McCormick Place.

Visit transitchicago.com for information on CTA fares and transit directions to McCormick Place.

South Shore Line

Participants and spectators are encouraged to take the South Shore Line to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The South Shore Line runs from South Bend, Indiana to Chicago with stops along the way.

Park your car at one of the convenient South Shore Line stations and ride in comfort to the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo and to Grant Park on race day. For more information about stations and tickets visit mysouthshoreline.com or call 219.926.5744.

Metra train service

Participants and spectators are encouraged to take advantage of Metra’s $7 Saturday or Sunday Day Pass good for unlimited rides on either Saturday or Sunday. In addition, the $10 Weekend Pass (available on the Ventra app only) is good for unlimited rides on both weekend days. Abbott Health & Fitness Expo attendees are encouraged to take the Metra Electric line to and from the Health & Fitness Expo. Metra Electric provides frequent service between McCormick Place and downtown.

Divvy

Gear up for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with Divvy Bikes! Make your commute easy with Divvy Bikes – Chicago’s bike and scooter share system. Event attendees can conveniently rent a bike or scooter from various docking stations around Chicago.

EXPO MAIN STAGE

Abbott Health & Fitness Expo Main Stage presentations will give you an opportunity to learn more about the course, receive last-minute tips and hear from industry experts and special guests. View the full schedule below.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

12:00 p.m. – Race Day Success
Tips and tricks to running a successful race on Sunday, October 12 with coach Chris Wehrman (12:00 p.m.), followed by insight from Pace Team leaders (12:20 p.m.) and a conversation with alumni runners (12:30 p.m.) From the first Chicago Marathon on September 25, 1977, to the upcoming 47th, three runners have been on every start line and every finish line. Randy Burt, 76, from Antioch, IL; Henry Kozlowski, 74, from Wilmette, IL; and George Mueller, 76, from Bloomingdale, IL are the three participants to have completed every Chicago Marathon. While they take it one year at a time, they are eyeing the 50th as their biggest milestone

1:00 p.m. – Marathon Sports Nutrition: Science & Practice
During this talk, you will learn about the sports nutrition recommendations for endurance athletes, how to determine your sports nutrition needs and tips on executing your nutrition plan during training and racing.

2:00 p.m. – Spilling the Tea with Connor Mantz
Come meet Olympic marathoner and Shokz athlete Conner Mantz for a meet and greet followed by a short interview with Laura Green, who will do her best to get Conner to spill all the inside info on how to run the Chicago course, ways to remain calm in the days leading up to the race and any tips on how to remain focused during the race.

3:00 p.m. – Advocate
Join Advocate Health Care’s Sports Medicine Dr. Sarah Pierotti and a fellow in the Sports Medicine program as they talk about the ways to stay healthy before, during and after the marathon alongside what to do if you face an injury. They will be discussing the many facets of a marathon, including the mind and the body, as well as how Advocate Health Care can support you in your marathon journey.

4:00 p.m. – Taking the Hard Road with Coach Bennett
Coach Bennett (Global Nike Running Head Coach) will meet with athletes for Q&A and last-minute advice heading into race weekend.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

12:00 p.m. – Race Day Success
Tips and tricks to running a successful race on Sunday, October 12 with coach Chris Wehrman (12:00 p.m.), followed by insight from Pace Team leaders (12:20 p.m.) and a conversation with Diane Nukuri (12:30 p.m.) Nukuri is a three-time Olympian who represented Burundi in the 5000 meters at the Sydney 2000 Games at age 15 and moved up to the marathon for the London 2012 Games. Originally from Kigozi, Burundi, Nukuri fled the country’s civil war at age 16, finding shelter with a relative in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. While she learned English and adapted to her new home, she was recruited to run for the University of Iowa. In her career as a Hawkeye, she earned three NCAA All-American honors. Diane started and finished her professional marathoning career on the streets of Chicago, running the race five times from 2010 to 2024.

1:00 p.m. – Team Abbott: The Power of Community
Running is an individual sport, but running with a team is empowering. Hear about the impact of community and Team Abbott on runners who have overcome health challenges, but refused to let those challenges define them. Register for Team Abbott at abbott.com/marathons.

2:00 p.m. – Running Pain Relief
Corissa Keener and Albert So will discuss how Biofreeze can be utilized by runners to achieve targeted and effective pain relief throughout their running journey. They will discuss Biofreeze’s new products and share the various Biofreeze activations taking place over the marathon weekend, including the Pain Relief Zone on course and Recovery Zone at the 27th Mile Post-Race Party. Corissa Keener, Doctor of Physical Therapy, will talk through how Biofreeze helps along the training, race day & recovery process.

3:00 p.m. – Stride and Stumbles: Navigating Injuries as You Prepare for this Marathon and the Next
Marissa Wright, PT DPT, CAFS, CMTPT, will be discussing common injuries and physical concerns that may arise as race day approaches or during the marathon itself. We’ll explore the underlying causes and typical presentations of these issues, helping runners understand which conditions may require rest versus those that can be safely managed. She’ll also cover recovery strategies, with special attention to those planning additional races, to ensure optimal performance without increasing the risk of further injury.

4:00 p.m. – The Art of Fueling
You’re running Chicago. Think about that. Toeing the line at one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors — the greatest foot races on the planet. That takes guts — figuratively and literally. As official Hydrogel Fuel Partner to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Maurten Gel 100 will be available on course for all athletes. In a panel talk, Maurten will lay out the fundamentals of fueling for a marathon. Join the Maurten team and special guest for an in-depth look at fueling.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

12:00 p.m. – Race Day Success
Tips and tricks to running a successful race on Sunday, October 12 with coach Chris Wehrman (12:00 p.m.), followed by insight from Pace Team leaders (12:20 p.m.) and a conversation with Wesley Korir (12:30 p.m.) Wesley Korir is a Kenyan marathoner, as well as a politician who served as an elected member of Parliament. Korir participated in the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, finishing second with a personal best 2:06:15. He won the Boston Marathon the following year, running 2:12:40. He had previously won the Los Angeles Marathon in 2009 and 2010, the first back-to-back winner there in eight years. Wesley is in Chicago this weekend as both a race ambassador and spectator, cheering on his brother John who is looking to defend his 2024 title.

2:00 p.m. – A Conversation with Bank of America Chicago Distance Series Ambassadors
The third edition of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series culminates at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Local Distance Series participants and ambassadors Ariel Greenstein, Grezelro Gonzales, Shania Kranz, Henry D Norris and Nimbe Juarez will be celebrating the achievement on race day along with more than 4,000 runners.

3:00 p.m. – Chris Koch
Chris Koch was born without arms and legs — and just completed his 20th marathon on a skateboard. From global race courses to keynote stages, his journey is changing the way we think about resilience, ability, and determination.

Bio: https://www.ifican.ca/about

4:00 p.m. – Relay Podcast: What Makes the Marathon So Special
Join Lindsey Hein, Erika Kemp, Mike Ko and Tommiei Runz of Relay, a running podcast dedicated to conversation, commentary and fun, in a discussion about the event.

MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

If you are a vendor who is interested in marketing at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, please visit the Marketing opportunities page for more information.