Frequently Asked Questions

Registration
Weather
Health & Fitness Expo and Participant Bag
Course
Start Corrals
Nike Pace Teams
Running for a Charity
Hotels and Travel
E-Newsletters
General/Miscellaneous

Registration

When is the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon?
The 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will be held Sunday, October 13, 2013.

When does the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon start?
The 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon features a Wave Start and Start Corral process. Wave 1 starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by Wave 2 at 8:00 a.m.

How much is registration for the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon?
The cost of entry for 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is $175 for U.S. participants and $200 for participants outside the U.S.

Does the event offer a half marathon option?
No, there is no half marathon.

Can I sign up for a waiting list in the event that a registered participant opts not to run?
No, there is no waiting list for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

I am injured and/or cannot run the event (family commitment, work obligation, etc.). Can I get a refund, donate my entry or transfer my entry to someone else?
No. Per our official event rules and guidelines: Sale and/or transfer of race entries/bib numbers is strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future events. All entry fees are non-refundable and cannot be deferred toward a future event.

If I provide medical documentation of my injury or pregnancy, will you give me a refund?
No. Please refer to our official event rules and guidelines.

Can I defer my entry to the next year if I am unable to run this year?
No, participants cannot defer their entries to the next year in the event that they are unable to run.

How can I confirm my registration after I sign up online?
You can confirm your entry by going to www.chicagomarathon.com/confirmation. Enter your first and/or last name to confirm your entry. We will send all registered participants a Confirmation Ticket/Participant Guide in the mail and a Confirmation E-mail in September.

How can I make a change to my registration information (i.e. misspelling, address, e-mail, T-shirt size)?
E-mail registrationupdate@chicagomarathon.com with “Change of Information” in the subject line or call the Bank of America Chicago Marathon office at 312.904.9800 and a member of our staff will assist you.

I didn’t receive a payment confirmation e-mail after I registered. Can you resend it to me?
If you tried to register online but did not receive an e-mail confirming your payment, you need to do three things: 1) Check your current credit card/bank statement to see if you were charged the registration fee; 2) Check your spam and/or junk-mail folders to make sure the payment confirmation e-mail did not go into of those, and check your email settings to make sure you allow e-mails from “Active.com”; and 3) Contact Active.com at 877.228.4881 to talk with one of their customer service representatives. Please note that we cannot resend payment confirmation e-mails once they have already been sent.

I am certain that I registered, but my name is not showing up on the online confirmation page and registration is now closed. What can I do?
All participant registrations received are current. If you tried to register online but your credit card was not charged the registration fee, then your transaction was not successful. Notify our office immediately if payment was accepted, but your name does not appear on our confirmation page.

Is the Bank of America Chicago Marathon walker-friendly?
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is open to all participants who wish to register; however, the Chicago Marathon course begins to re-open to vehicular traffic after 6 hours and 30 minutes of the last official starter. Participants wishing to complete the 26.2-mile event within that timeframe will need to maintain a 15-minute/mile pace or faster. This 6:30:59 time limit is a “rolling” time limit from the start to the finish. Participants still out on the race course will be asked to move to the sidewalks and on-course support (Aid Stations) will close.

Please note that participants who cross the finish line after 6:30:59 will not be recognized as official finishers and their names will not be printed in the Official Results Book or the Commemorative Newspaper.

What is a rolling time limit?
A “rolling” time limit means that the streets at Mile 1 will begin to re-open 15 minutes after the last official starter, Mile 2 30 minutes; Mile 3 45 minutes; etc., through the finish at 6:30:59 after the last official starter.

Are relay teams allowed to participate in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon?
No. We do not have a relay division. Each participant must individually complete the full 26.2-mile distance.

Weather and Event Alert System (EAS)

What are the normal high/low temperatures in Chicago on October 13?
Normal High: 63 Fahrenheit / 17 Celsius
Normal Low: 46 Fahrenheit / 8 Celsius

What is the Event Alert System (EAS)?
The Event Alert System (EAS) is a color-coded system that communicates the status of course conditions to participants leading up to and on race day. The levels range from Low (green) to Moderate (yellow) to High (red) to Extreme (black) based on a variety of factors, including weather conditions.

Health & Fitness Expo and Participant Bag

Where and when is the Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pick-Up?
The 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pick-Up will be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center.

Dates:
Friday, October 11
Saturday, October 12

If I am a vendor interested in purchasing booth space at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, or if I am interested in promoting my race, product, charity, etc., in the Participant Bag, who should I contact?
Please send an e-mail to expo@chicagomarathon.com.

Do I have to pick up my Participant Packet, Participant Bag and t-shirt at the Bank of  America Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo?
Yes. All participants must pick up their event-issued bib number, timing device, technical t-shirt and Participant Bag at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. We do not mail out participant packets, bags or t-shirts that are not picked up at the Expo; no exceptions.

Can I pick up my Participant Packet, Participant Bag and t-shirt on the day of the race?
There is no race day Participant Packet and Bag Pick-Up. All participants must pick up their bib numbers, Participant Bags, t-shirts and timing devices prior to race day.

Course

Where can I find a Bank of America Chicago Marathon course map?
A course map for the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will be available in advance of race day. The Chicago Marathon course is a fast and flat course that is home to four World Records, several national records and countless personal bests. There is only one slight incline in the final mile of the course on Roosevelt Rd.

How many Aid Stations are on the course?
There are 20 Aid Stations on the course.

What flavor Gatorade do you offer on the course?
Lemon-Lime Gatorade Endurance Formula.

Is there food available on the course?
Bananas are available in the later miles of the course. Refer to course map for specific locations.

How long is the course open?
The course is open for 6 hours, 30 minutes. Registrants must be capable of completing the full distance, start line to finish line, within the event time requirement of 6-hours, 30-minutes (or approx. 15 minutes/mile). Participants running slower than 15 minutes/mile will not be guaranteed Aid Station or Medical support once the 6:30 time limit has been reached. Participants still out on the course will be asked to move onto the sidewalk as the streets will be re-opened to traffic and Aid Stations will discontinue on-course support.

Participant net times greater than the event time requirement (6-hours, 30-minutes) will not be recognized as official. Times over 6:30 will not be printed in the Official Results Book or the Commemorative Newspaper.

Is the Bank of America Chicago Marathon a Boston Qualifier?
Yes. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is a great course for participants hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Can I run with an iPod/headphones?
Yes. USATF, the national governing body of the sport, recently amended its ban on headphones, iPods and similar devices. However, athletes competing for prize money are not allowed to use electronic devices such as headphones and ear pieces.

Can I run with my Garmin GPS or my Nike Plus device?
Yes, participants may wear their Garmin GPS watches and/or Nike Plus devices. However, these items do not count as “second timing devices” and will not be recognized by the event as official times or distances.

What is NOT allowed on the course?
The use of video devices, cell phones, computers, cameras or any similar devices by participants 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.

Do you have a Lost & Found in case I lose something at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo or on the race course?
Yes. We will have a Lost & Found for items that were lost and found at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo and on race day. If you are missing a personal item, please call the event office at 312.904.9800.

If the weather changes during the race, will there be alerts along the course?
Yes. We will use the color-coded Event Alert System (EAS) to alert participants to any significant changes in race day conditions. For more information on the EAS, click here.

I live along the race course. Where can I find out about race day street closures?
For important information on street closures, visit chicagomarathon.com. Street Closure information will be available in advance of race day.

Start Corrals

What are Start Corrals?
Start Corrals are designated start areas designed to facilitate a more efficient and convenient race start for all participants. Wave 1 Start Corrals American Development, A, B, C, D, and E are assigned based on an accepted qualifying time. Start Wave 2 Corrals F, G, H, J, K, L, and M are assigned based on the expected marathon finish time provided during registration

How can I qualify for a Wave 1 Start Corral?
Start Corrals American Development, A, B, C, D, and E are secure start areas designed to offer a quicker and smoother start for all qualified participants. Assignment to these Start Corrals is based on a submitted qualifying time from a half marathon or marathon performance run on or after January 1, 2011. The deadline to submit proof of qualification is August 26, 2013.

How do I know which Start Corral I have been assigned to?
Once you have registered for the event, you can confirm your Start Corral assignment on the Online Confirmation page. Your Start Corral will be listed next to your name, city, state, age division.

Can I switch from one Start Corral to another?
If you qualify for a “faster” corral, you can be moved up by submitting a “faster” qualifying performance prior to the August 26, 2013 deadline. If you were automatically assigned to a “faster” Start Corral but do not wish to start in that corral, you can be assigned to a later starting Start Corral by submitting a request to startcorrals@chicagomarathon.com.

My friends have been placed into a different Seeded Start Corral.
Can we run together?
If you plan to run with a friend, family member, or teammate, make sure that you both submit the same expected finish times or that you both submit qualifying times for the same Start Corral.

I have been automatically assigned to a Seeded Start Corral. How did this happen?
Some participants are automatically assigned to a Start Corral by virtue of their qualifying performance at the 2011-2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

My Start Corral says “pending” on the confirmation page. What does that mean?
When registering, you selected to start in Corral A, B, C, D, or E but have not yet submitted proof of qualification. You may have the “pending” removed by submitting proof of time to our office. See How to Submit Proof of Qualifying for Corrals A – E for instructions on how to submit proof of time.

I submitted a qualifying time. Will I receive confirmation that my Start Corral has been changed?
No. You will not receive confirmation that your Start Corral has been changed. You must verify the change has been made by viewing your corral assignment on the Online Confirmation page.

What is considered acceptable proof of a qualifying time?
Proof of a qualifying time may be submitted in the form of a finisher’s certificate or printout of an online race results page. If you are sending a printout of an online race results page, please circle or underline your name and finishing time in the results. You need only send the page on which the name and date of the race appear and the page on which your name and finishing time appear, not all pages of results. Links are accepted via email ONLY if the link is to your individual result. Your name and finishing time must be the ONLY result appearing on the web page. Links to general race result pages will NOT be accepted as proof of qualification.

Are Start Corrals guaranteed? How many participants are in each Start Corral?
Start Corrals are not guaranteed – they are filled on a first come, first served basis until they reach their respective capacities.

Can I switch from one Start Corral to another on race day?
No, all participants must start in their assigned Start Corral on race day.

Can I run with my friend or teammate who has been assigned to a different Start Corral?
If you plan to run with a friend or teammate, make sure that you both submit the same expected finish times or that you both submit qualifying times for the same Start Corral.

I missed qualifying for a Start Wave 1 Corral by a few seconds. Will you make an exception?
No. Corral qualifying standards are strictly adhered to.

Nike Pace Teams

Do you offer Pace Teams?
Yes. Participants are welcome to join one of several different Nike Pace Teams. Participants can sign up with a Nike Pace Team at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. For more information on Nike Pace Teams, click here.

Running for a Charity

What does it mean to run for a charity?
The 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program had more than 160 affiliated charities. While each charity has its own guidelines, typically Bank of America Chicago Marathon participants who are part of a charity team agree to fundraise for that charity. Your fundraising goes directly to the charity to support its initiatives. Every charitable organization allows its team of runners the unique opportunity to make their Marathon experience more meaningful by not only accomplishing a personal goal on race day, but by contributing to a larger mission and giving back to a worthy cause.

In return for a runner’s fundraising efforts, the charities commit to providing support in a number of areas which may include reimbursement of registration fee, team apparel, training programs, race day hospitality, pre-race events and other benefits.

Once open registration closes, are entries available thorough charities?
Yes. Official, Partner, Participating and Associate level charities will have a limited number of entries available after open registration closes.

How can I get more information about a particular charity?
Most charities have built their own websites specific to their charity runner program. Please visit the Charity Program page for links to specific charities. If you have further questions, please contact the charity directly through the contact information provided on its website.

How do I sign up to run for a charity?
Contact the charity you are interested in joining and they will provide you with the details of their program such as fundraising, training, etc.

What is the minimum amount that I have to fundraise in order to be a charity runner?
Each charity sets its own fundraising amounts. Please contact the charity you are interested in for more information.

If I join a charity team, can I still run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a friend who is not a charity runner?
Yes, while participants may start in different Corrals based on submitted qualifying times, there is no distinction between charity runners and other participants.

May I run for a charity that is not a part of the Official Charity Program?
Yes. If you have already registered, please e-mail our office at registrationupdate@chicagomarathon.com and we will add that charity name to your registration information. (Please note that this information will not appear on the online confirmation page; only the names of charities affiliated with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will show on the online confirmation page).

I work for a specific charity organization and we would like to be affiliated with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. How does that work?
Charities that wish to partner with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will need to fill out a detailed Charity Application and apply to become affiliated with the event. Please e-mail charity@chicagomarathon.com for more information.

Hotels and Travel

Do you work with an Official Travel and Housing partner that offers special rates for Marathon participants?
Experient is the Official Travel and Housing Partner of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, offering official rates at the city’s most desirable hotels. To secure a hotel reservation for the 2013 Chicago Marathon, visit www.chicagomarathon.com/2013hotels.

What is the Official Hotel for the Chicago Marathon?
The Hilton Chicago is the Official Headquarters Hotel of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Located just across the street from Grant Park, the Hilton Chicago is a hub of activity on race weekend.

Do you have a list of hotels near the start/finish?
For an extensive list of hotels located near the start and finish, click here (.pdf).

E-Newsletters

I am signed up for the race and I want to receive e-mails. How can I sign up for your e-newsletter?
We offer two e-newsletters that participants can sign up for:

• Mile by Mile: a general event newsletter aimed at runners, spectators and fans to keep track of important event information, deadlines and special offers.
• Nike Debut Marathoner: a targeted newsletter that covers the basics of marathon running, including training tips and expert advice, for those who will tackle the marathon distance for the first time in Chicago.

How can I subscribe to the e-newsletters?
Click here to subscribe to either e-newsletter.

General/Miscellaneous

I am looking for results prior to 1996. Is it possible to get them?
Our office has a results archive that extends back to 1977. If you are interested in a result prior to 1996, contact the marathon office at 312.904.9800 or office@chicagomarathon.com. Please note that we cannot make copies of our entire results archives for researches/grad students interested in obtaining them. We can only look up individual times.

Where can I purchase my photos following the race?
MarathonFoto is the Official Race Photographer. Visit marathonfoto.com to find and purchase your photos.