Lottery

The lottery registration period has closed.

Questions & Answers

Please refer to the Q&A below for more information. Additional questions can be directed to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon office at 312.904.9800, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.

If I already registered successfully, will I have to re-register through the lottery? Those who have already registered successfully do not have to re-register through the lottery. Their registrations have been processed and confirmed.

If I experienced technical difficulties when I tried to register on February 19, will I be given preference in the lottery?
We are incredibly sorry to those who experienced technical difficulties when trying to register on February 19. However, with no official record of those who attempted to register on February 19, the 2013 lottery will be random and will operate without preference.

Will past Chicago Marathon participants be given preference in the lottery?
While we value past Chicago Marathon participants, to address the unique registration situation in 2013 the lottery will operate without preference.

Will charity runners be given preference in the lottery?
The lottery will operate without preference. Charity runners, like any other runner, should enter the lottery. Once the lottery registration period concludes, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program will operate the same as in years past with more than 90 nonprofit organizations having available entries into the race. For more information on running for charity, visit www.chicagomarathon.com/charity.

Will there be a fee to enter the lottery?
There will be no cost to enter the lottery. However, lottery winners must pay standard event registration fees upon registering.

Can an individual submit himself/herself into the lottery multiple times?
Each individual will be permitted one entry into the lottery.

Will the lottery have a capacity?
The lottery will not have a capacity. All who wish to enter the lottery will be able to do so. Each individual will be permitted one entry into the lottery.

Will there be a waiting list for those who do not get in through the lottery?
There will not be a waiting list.

If a lottery winner opts not to register, will the registration be re-issued to someone else in the lottery pool?
We expect that the vast majority of entries will be used; however, if a lottery winner opts not to register, the entry will not be re-issued.

If a lottery winner opts not to register, can the registration be deferred to a future year?
Registration cannot be deferred to a future year.

Can a lottery winner allow someone else to register in his or her place?
The registration must be used by the lottery winner only. Registration cannot be transferred from one person to another.

If a currently registered participant’s friend, family member, or running partner is not selected in the lottery, will that participant be offered a refund?
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon maintains a no-refund policy.

What if a lottery winner is unable to register during the designated time period?
Registration must be completed during the designated time period (March 12 – March 14) or it will expire and will not be re-issued.

Will the Bank of America Chicago Marathon permit the sale or transfer of race entries this year?
The sale and/or transfer of race entries is strictly prohibited. Participant bib numbers are specific personal identifiers and it is a safety issue if worn by a different person.

Will registration for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon operate as a lottery in the future?
A lottery will be used to address the unique situation of the remaining 15,000 entries for the 2013 race. We will conduct a thorough review of all registration options for the 2014 Chicago Marathon and future races.

Why did these registration issues happen in the first place?
With growing demand to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the fact that registration sold out in six days last year after 31 days in 2011, we anticipated that the 2013 event could sell out in a matter of hours. Both Chicago Marathon and Active.com are disappointed that the registration system could not handle the demand, and we deeply regret the frustration it caused.

What caused these registration issues?
Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration occurred at a time when Active.com was in the midst of updating their IT infrastructure, which led to system errors they did not expect.

How can you ensure that registration issues will not reoccur?
A lottery will ensure that all those still interested in registering for the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon have an equitable chance to gain entry, and will allow for the demand to be processed over a three-day period.

Is the Bank of America Chicago Marathon working with the same registration provider?
The lottery will be facilitated by a new registration provider. Active.com will continue to be involved with other aspects of the registration process.