GROUP LEADER APPLICATION

• Communicate clearly with your group about the specifics of the volunteer role.
• Recruit a minimum of 10 volunteers for your volunteer group. Please note, non-profit groups, clubs or organizations that check-in 20 or more volunteers on race day or at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo and meet event qualifications are eligible for a modest donation starting at $300
• The age minimum for group volunteers is 14 years of age. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 volunteers under the age of 18 to ensure sufficient supervision. Chaperones must, without exception, be 21 years of age or older, and they must register online with their group. The event has the right to set different age minimums for designated positions.
• Monitor individual registration of your volunteer group members.
• Group leaders are expected to register the number of volunteers committed in their group application.
• Make sure all volunteers bring valid photo identification. School IDs are accepted.
• Arrive early, as there will be enhanced security and bag screening throughout the event to access the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, Grant Park and race course.
• Stay until the assignment is complete and you are notified that your volunteer group has fulfilled their role.

Please review the steps below detailing the group leader application and assignment process:

Step 1: Review the volunteer policies.

Step 2: Complete the group leader application. Follow the link below and see below for more information on the process.

Apply now!

• Be sure to include any time restrictions your group may have within the application so the Volunteer Team can place your group accordingly. If you cannot commit to the full shift time assigned to you, please contact the Volunteer Team as soon as possible.
• Select your group’s assignment preference from the list below. Please note that assignments are filled on a first come, first served basis. If the assignment you receive is different from your indicated preference, your preference has been filled.
• Within the group leader application, indicate your group’s size. You must have at least 10 volunteers to form a group. Please note, non-profit groups, clubs or organizations that check-in 20 or more volunteers on race day or at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo and meet event qualifications are eligible for a modest donation.

Step 3: Wait approximately one week to receive your group assignment via email. This will include registration instructions for your group. When you receive your group assignment, reply to the email so the Volunteer Team knows you received your assignment.

Step 4: Share your registration instructions with your group members! Group leaders do not need to follow these instructions as they are already in the system from completing the group leader application. Please inform the Volunteer Team as soon as possible if your estimated group size changes. The Volunteer Team assigns your group based off of the number of volunteers shared in your application, so it’s important to know if this changes.

Step 5: The group registration instructions will be valid until all of the requested slots are filled or until the registration deadline at 11:59 p.m. (U.S. Central Time) on Friday, October 2, 2026, whichever occurs first.

Please note, interested medical volunteer groups should apply on the medical volunteer webpage.

Within the group leader application, you can select your group’s assignment preference from the following options. Please note that each group will be assigned according to past experience and event need, and assignments are filled on a first come, first served basis. Some groups may be divided or reassigned as needed.

Abbott Health & Fitness Expo – Thursday, October 8 through Saturday, October 10

The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo is the first stop for many participants. Volunteers will welcome runners from around the world and assist with the packet and t-shirt distribution process. Please note that high school groups will be assigned to t-shirt distribution due to age restrictions associated with the packet distribution role.

Abbott Chicago 5K – Saturday, October 10

The Abbott Chicago 5K takes place on Saturday of race weekend and welcomes runners of all backgrounds and cultures to be a part of the excitement of race weekend. Volunteers will assist runners in the start area, on course at the aid station and as course marshals and in the finish area.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon – Sunday, October 11

Course

• Aid station: Volunteers will distribute water and Gatorade to marathon participants, as well as assist with the setup and cleanup of the Aid Station.
• Course marshals: Is your group local to one of the neighborhoods the course passes through? Volunteer in your neighborhood as course marshals to ensure the course stays clear of spectator and vehicle traffic, and act as a source of information about the event (provided) and the surrounding area. Please note your preferred neighborhood on your group leader application. Course marshals must be 18 years or older and able to stand for four or more hours.

Grant Park

• Start line: Join the excitement at the start line by regulating access to the start corrals and assisting with the forward progress of participants through the corrals.
• Finish line: Volunteers will have the opportunity to congratulate runners as they distribute items at the finish line, such as food, water, Gatorade, beer, iced towels and heatsheets.
• Green team: Help us make a difference beyond race day! Green team volunteers assist race participants and spectators to correctly recycle and compost specific products distributed by the event such as water bottles, Gatorade cups, banana peels and food.
• Information team: Assist race participants, spectators and other volunteers by providing general information and answering any questions they may have about the event, as well as directions to key destinations in Grant Park. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
• Gear check: This team is devoted to ensuring race participants have an excellent experience before and after the race. Gear check volunteers collect and organize gear check bags from participants before the race and return them afterward.
• Start hydration: This team is devoted to ensuring race participants have an excellent experience before the race. Start hydration volunteers prepare and distribute Gatorade and water to participants before they make their way to the start line.
• Harrison Volunteer Compound: A trustworthy and reliable team of volunteers is needed to help check in all 3,000 Grant Park volunteers and distribute uniforms as they arrive at the event site.
• Open to opportunities: Volunteers who are flexible and open to roles anywhere are highly sought after and always appreciated. Groups without preference to an area could be placed on any of the teams mentioned above or assigned to another team based on the event’s needs.

We understand the time and effort involved in coordinating a group of volunteers. We would like to recognize qualifying groups with a modest donation. More information and required forms will be available after the event.

Qualifications

• The group must be a non-profit group, club or organization.
• The group must be able to present a W-9 completed for the organization or fiscal agent with a tax identification number.
• Group must check in 20 or more volunteers on race day or at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo.
  • Please note that medical volunteer groups must check in 10 or more volunteers on race day and/or at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo.

Paperwork must be submitted by the established deadline. After the event, the Volunteer Team will contact all group leaders with qualification status, required paperwork and the established deadline. Group donations start at $300 and go up from there based on the group size. Groups can also earn donation bonuses if they meet the following criteria:

• $75 bonus to qualifying groups that participate in shifts that begin prior to 5 a.m.
• $100 bonus to qualifying groups that participate in more than one event during race weekend (i.e., Expo/Packet-Pick-up and race day).
• $150 bonus to qualifying groups that participate in a shift over 6 hours long
• $200 bonus to qualifying groups that participate at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in addition to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Please note the bonus will be included in Bank of America Chicago Marathon donations.
• $200 bonus to qualifying groups that participate at the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 in addition to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Please note the bonus will be included in Bank of America Chicago Marathon donations.

What is the age requirement for volunteers?

The volunteer age minimum is 14 years old and accompanying children are not permitted. We require that all individual volunteers be 14 years of age or older on the day they are volunteering. A parent/guardian must agree to the volunteer waiver for volunteers between the ages of 14 and 18. Children and young adults under the age of 14 are not permitted to accompany registered volunteers who meet the age requirement when they are volunteering. The event has the right to set different age minimums for designated positions.

How can I earn points for the volunteer rewards program?

Visit cemevent.com/volunteer/cem-volunteer-rewards-program to learn how you can earn points and for more details about the program.

Are walk-up registrations accepted?

No, walk-up registrations are not accepted. All volunteers must register online by 11:59 p.m. (U.S. Central Time) on Friday, October 2, 2026 or they will not be allowed to volunteer for the event.

What should I wear?

Volunteers are expected to dress in clothing appropriate for the work duties they have been assigned to perform. Always make sure to check the weather in advance! Wear closed toe shoes at all times and the current event attire logo hat, shirt or jacket, and shoes, if provided. When required, you must have visible appropriate and current event-issued credentials and/or ID vests and wristbands to be on the premises.

What is the volunteer uniform?

All volunteers receive their uniform at volunteer check-in. Abbott Health & Fitness Expo volunteers receive a long sleeve t-shirt and credential. Race day volunteers receive a track jacket, hat and credential. The volunteer uniform should be worn as the outer layer and the volunteer credential should be visible at all times. While we appreciate the desire of volunteers to represent the organizations they are volunteering on behalf of, we ask that you do not alter the uniform or wear items representing anything other than the event. This includes wearing hats, pins or items that represent your organizations. Volunteers play a critical role in the participant experience and we want to ensure a consistent look across all areas of the event so participants are able to easily identify race volunteers and officials.

What should I bring?

Make sure to bring a valid photo ID for Volunteer Check-In. Students are allowed to use school IDs. We strongly discourage you from bringing any personal belongings to the event. Gear check will be required for belongings that cannot be carried in a volunteer’s pockets. Please note that items larger than a standard backpack will not be permitted in the volunteer gear check.

Is food provided?

Snacks and meals are provided depending upon the time of day and duration of the volunteer shift. While we try to provide a range of food items, we cannot guarantee that meals will accommodate all dietary restrictions.

Transportation and parking

We encourage volunteers to use public transportation when possible. Please visit transitchicago.com for more information and to plan your trip. Recommended transportation options and parking options (when available) will be provided in the confirmation email.

How do I register as a volunteer?

Access registration from a volunteer webpage. Opportunities are posted at chicagomarathon.com/volunteer.

To access your volunteer portal, visit cemevent.rosterfy.com/login and enter your email and password.

Do I need to create a new account?

If you have volunteered since the 2021 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, you are considered an existing user. Existing users can sign in at cemevent.rosterfy.com/login. If you are a new user, you will need to create an account to register. Visit cemevent.rosterfy.com/login to create an account and view available opportunities. Please note if you are a part of a volunteer group, you should follow the instructions from your group leader to register.

Can I register for another volunteer?

Volunteers cannot register on behalf of another individual. Each volunteer will need to click ‘create a new account’ to register. Only one account can be created per email address.

How do I know if I am registered?

Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Once you are registered, you will be able to view registered volunteer shifts on the dashboard of your volunteer portal.

What information can I access through my volunteer account?

• View details about your upcoming volunteer shifts
• Cancel your registration by clicking on the withdraw icon

How do I get my volunteers to register?

Email the registration instructions from the assignment email that you received from the Volunteer Team. If you cannot find it, email volunteer@chicagomarathon.com for assistance.

How do I keep track of my group?

Within your volunteer portal, click on the “View” button under “Groups I am Leading”. This will bring you to group leader mode which allows you see all of your registered volunteers. Use the search bars to find a specific volunteer.

I don’t think we will fill our shift. What should I do?

While group leaders are expected to recruit the number of volunteers they committed to bring, groups can still volunteer if they do not fill their shift. Notify the Volunteer Team at volunteer@chicagomarathon.com so they can plan accordingly.

When will my group receive more specific instructions?

• The Volunteer Team and/or your Aid Station Captain will communicate final information, including check-in location, parking and transportation options, preparation tips and more. All volunteer training takes place onsite.
• Group leaders are encouraged to follow up with their volunteers after receiving the official email to reiterate final details and share any instructions specific to your group.

Stay tuned! All registered volunteers will receive a race week confirmation email with location, check-in and preparation details.

If you have any questions, please contact your group leader or the volunteer team at volunteer@chicagomarathon.com or by phone at 312.796.8392.