Additional Resources
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Volunteers
Volunteer Information
Volunteers are essential in the success of any great event. They are vital in providing a safe, organized and fun race. It will take over 1,400 volunteers to ensure the safety, accuracy, fun and the highest level of organization necessary to produce the Chicago Half Marathon and 5K.
Volunteers are needed to help with the packet pick-up at the Expo, course monitors, distribute water at the aid stations, handout finishers medals and in many other areas that make up the Chicago Half Marathon Race week-end. Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age.
Now is your chance to take part in welcoming all of the athletes that will be joining us for this amazing world class event. All volunteers will receive a Race Crew T-Shirt and some light refreshments, depending on their location.
For more information send email to the volunteer coordinator.
Click here to register as a volunteer!
Volunteer Job Descriptions
Expo/Packet Pick-up Setup
Thursday, September 9 –
Be behind the scenes of the Quality of Life Expo as the packet pick-up comes together for all the participants. Duties include preparing shirts, participant goodie bags and packets to get things off on the right foot. Some lifting may be required.
For more information or to sign up, send email to the volunteer coordinator.
Expo/Packet Pick-up Times
Friday, September 10– 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Friday, September 10 – 2:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 11 – 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 11 – 1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Be a part of the anticipation and excitement before the big race! Athletes pick up their event information and race bib numbers so they are ready for race day. Duties include passing out race packets and t-shirts to participants, providing race information and assisting in directing people as they visit Navy Pier.
For more information or to sign up, send email to the volunteer coordinator.
Click here to register as a volunteer!
Parking/Shuttle Bus Attendants
Sunday, September 12 –
Help get the participants on their buses in an orderly fashion and ensure they make it to the start line of the race and then back home. Duties include loading buses with the appropriate number of people and getting them off to ensure participants can enjoy the race.
For more information or to sign up, send email to the volunteer coordinator.
Click here to register as a volunteer!
Start Line Assistants
Sunday, September 12 – 5
Help prepare the starting line for all the participants, then help them get properly placed at their expected pace for the race. Duties include some light set-up of the start line and then assisting participants in the proper area for the race.
For more information or to sign up, send email to the volunteer coordinator.
Click here to register as a volunteer!
Finish Line/Runner Services
Sunday, September 12 –
Be the first to see the many walkers and runners as they come across the finish line. Be a part of the finish celebration! As they finish, we need your help to guide them through the following areas:
- Bottled Water Distribution: Hand the participants their much needed bottled water. They will be very appreciative!
- Medals: Reward the thousands of participants by giving them their hard earned medal
- Food Distribution: Help hand participants a much anticipated post-race snack of items such as banana, apple, bagel and cookies
- Participant Photos: Assist the participants in getting their pictures, so they can document their amazing achievement.
- Finish Line Assistant: Be there right in the heart of the action, helping keep the participants moving once they cross the finish line.
For more information or to sign up, send email to the volunteer coordinator.
Click here to register as a volunteer!
Rest and Recovery
Sunday, September 12 –
The Chicago Half Marathon doesn’t end when participants cross the finish line! It's just when the celebration begins! There's music, merchandise booths and areas for groups to reunite and enjoy the recent accomplishment. We need your help for Rest and Recovery in the following areas.
- Results Tent - Assist with finding finishing times for the participants and others. Duties include a comfort level with computers and good customer service for the participants.
- Information Tent/Ask Me - Are you a person who always has the answers? Then this is the job for you! Help participants with questions and provide directional assistance on Race Day. Inquiring minds want to know and we need you to help us answer them!.
For more information or to sign up, send email to the volunteer coordinator.
Click here to register as a volunteer!
Gear Check
Sunday, September 12 –
Assist participants by keepings everything from bags to bikes as participants go out and enjoy the event with you as a smiling face to connect with them after. Duties include labeling and organizing participants belongings so that they are ready for quick pick-up at the end of the race.
For more information or to sign up, send email to the volunteer coordinator.
Click here to register as a volunteer!
Course Support
Help prepare the course and motivate the participants , ensuring it is ready to go as they. Be a part of the course in one of the following areas:
- Aid Station: Provide water and more importantly support to the participants as they make their way along the course. Duties include set up of station with tables and layers of cups to start. Once participants start to pass restocking and encouraging them and finally cleaning to help the City of Chicago.
- Course Marshal: Direct participants along the route to ensure they go the proper way while encouraging them along the way. Duties include having a proper understanding of the course and ensuring safety.
- Back of the Pack Crew: Motivate the participants to help them keep the 13 minute per mile pace for the race to help the Chicago Public Safety Agencies re-open the course on-time. Duties include ensuring no participant is left behind but also ensuring the time limit is met. This duty balances a sense of customer service with being forceful to the rules of the race.
- Path Support: Provide a support team for those participants that have to make their way back along the Lake Shore Path. This is an energetic group helping to get our last participants to the Finish Line.
Click here to register as a volunteer!
