Molex Hospitality
Welcome to 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon! As a Molex runner, you will enjoy premier access to the best pre-and post-race amenities. Please read on for important race weekend information to prepare for the 42nd running on Sunday, October 13.
Pre-race: October 11 and 12
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo and packet pick-up
The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo features more than 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest trends in running gear and the newest developments in sports, fitness and nutrition. All participants must attend the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo to retrieve their participant packet, including your required race bib and timing device.
Location and hours
McCormick Place, North Building, Hall B
2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive*
Chicago, IL 60616
Friday, October 11
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 12
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. If you are driving, follow the signs for Parking Lot A for the most convenient parking location. The publicly listed mailing address for McCormick Place is 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive.
Transportation & parking
Free shuttle bus service to the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be provided to and from the following four locations:
- Downtown: Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Avenue (8th Street entrance)
- River North: Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Avenue, southwest corner of Rush and Ohio streets
- Magnificent Mile: Nike Chicago, 669 N. Michigan Avenue, behind the store on the northwest corner of St. Clair and Erie streets
- Millennium Park: Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive, southeast corner of Wacker Drive and Stetson Avenue
Shuttle service hours of operation
Friday, October 11
8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 12
8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Parking will also be available at McCormick Place Parking Lot A for a reduced rate of $10. For more information, visit chicagomarathon.com/mccormickplace.
Packet pick-up
All Molex race participants must pick up their own official race bibs and packets at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo during regularly scheduled hours; individuals are not allowed to pick up participant packets on behalf of others.
Molex bib sticker and Molex Hospitality ticket
A Molex-logo sticker will be affixed to all Molex Hospitality race participant bibs. A Molex Hospitality ticket will also be provided to runners. Please note that the participant must have both the ticket and the bib sticker to access all race day amenities.
Please confirm that your race bib has a Molex-logo sticker when you pick-up your race packet. If you do not see a Molex-logo sticker, please reach-out to Nancy Cannova pre-race at 630.209.8016 to make arrangements to secure a sticker pre-race.
Race day: October 13
Molex Hospitality tent access and directions
Molex runners and guests must access Grant Park at Balbo Ave and Michigan Ave. Attendees will head east on the South Balbo sidewalk to Columbus Drive. When at Columbus Drive, turn south (right) and proceed to the Molex Hospitality Tent. Please note, participants and guests will not be able to access the park via Lake Shore Drive. Molex participants are encouraged to check-in at the Molex Hospitality Tent no later than 6:15 a.m.
Molex Hospitality tent location map
Download the 2017 Grant Park map (.pdf)
Download the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon course map (.pdf)
Molex Hospitality tent race day timeline*
| 5:30 a.m. | Grant Park opens to runners |
| 5:30 a.m. | Molex Hospitality Tent venue opens – Breakfast available |
| 5:30 a.m. | Wave 1 start corrals open |
| 6:15 a.m. | All Molex runners are strongly encouraged to check-in at the tent by this time |
| 7:20 a.m. | Wave 1 start corrals close |
| 7:20 a.m. | Marathon Wheelchair Start (men) |
| 7:30 a.m. | Start of the race (Elite, American Development, Corrals A, B, C, D and E)** |
| 11:00 a.m. | Lunch available in the Molex Hospitality Tent |
| 4:00 p.m. | Molex Hospitality Tent closes |
**All participants in the Molex runner Program will be placed in Corral E in Wave 1 unless the participant has qualified for an advanced start corral.*Please arrive early on race morning to allow plenty of time to pass through security and bag screening checkpoints. As a reminder, participants will only be allowed to bring the clear plastic event-issued participant bag beyond the security checkpoints.
Molex Hospitality tickets are REQUIRED for Grant Park entry:
Molex guests will receive Molex Hospitality tickets in advance of the race, which will be required for entry into Grant Park and the Molex Hospitality Tent. Ticketed guests of participants will have access to the Molex Hospitality Tent in Grant Park starting at 6:30 a.m. When checked-in, Molex guests will receive a Molex wristband, granting access to the finish line bleachers until 4 p.m.
All participants and spectators are strongly encouraged to use public transportation to and from Grant Park to avoid heavy traffic congestion and street closures throughout race day.
Finish line
After Molex participants cross the finish line, runners will have the opportunity to exit the finish chute after receiving a finisher medal. Runners will exit under the Molex exit structure located approximately 100 yards from the finish line.
Runners will be identified by appointed staff via the Molex sticker on your race bib and escorted to the Molex Hospitality Tent. Please look for the signage featuring the red Molex logo and volunteers in white vests shortly after the finish to exit properly. Please view examples of the vests and the signage.
Important pre-race & race day contacts
If you have additional questions or further needs prior to race day, please contact nancy.cannova@molex.com. Please also can also visit the Bank of America Chicago Marathon website at chicagomarathon.com
For immediate assistance on race-day, please contact
Nancy Cannova at 630.209.8016
Nora Sheahan at 773.316.3468
