2026 Athlete Guide
Welcome to the Chicago Half Marathon
We are thrilled to host athletes from all over the world for one of the most iconic races on the Chicagoland event schedule. Whether you’re an experience endurance athlete or a first-time participant, we applaud you for taking on the challenge and joining us for what is to be an unforgettable experience.
As a friendly reminder, we want everyone to understand that the Chicago Half Marathon & 5K isn’t just a race, it’s a celebration of your athleticism, hard work, and determination. As you prepare for race day, know that we are here to support you every step of the way.
As you finalize your preparations, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the course details, review the race guidelines, and take advantage of our athlete resources available online and on-site. Our team is committed to ensuring that your experience is both rewarding and enjoyable.
We look forward to seeing you at the starting line and cheering you on to the finish!
Pre-Race Information
Race Weekend Schedule
Pre-Race Party + Packet Pickup
- Location: Navy Pier | Festival Hall B | 600 E Grand Ave | Chicago, IL 60611
- Friday, September 25 | 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Shakeout Run at 9:00 AM
- Starts and ends at Navy Pier near the outside doors of Festival Hall B
Sunday, September 27 RACE DAY
| Time | Event | Location |
| 4:30 AM | First Shuttles depart | Belmont "L" Station (Reservation Only) |
| 4:45 AM | First Shuttles depart | Millennium Park (Reservation Only) |
| 5:30 AM | Gear Check & Will Call open | Finish Festival |
| 5:30 AM | Last shuttles depart | Millennium & Belmont stops |
| 6:00 AM | Lake Shore Drive closes | (between 31st and 67th Streets) |
| 6:00 AM | Start Corrals open | Along E Hayes Dr, north of the Statue of the Golden Lady |
| 6:45 AM | 5k corrals close | E. Hayes Dr. |
| 6:58 AM | Para Athlete Start (5k) | E. Hayes Dr. |
| 7:00 AM | 5k Start | E. Hayes Dr. |
| 7:00 AM | Half Marathon Corrals Close | E. Hayes Dr. |
| 7:05 AM | 5k Start Line closes | E. Hayes Dr. |
| 7:13 AM | Half Marathon Para Athlete Start | E. Hayes Dr. |
| 7:15 AM | Half Marathon Start | E. Hayes Dr. |
| 7:30 AM | Finish Festival begins | Jackson Park, north of E. Hayes Dr. |
| 7:57 AM | Start Line Closed | E. Hayes Dr. |
| 8:00 AM | 5k Awards ceremony | Finish Fest Stage - Overall only (Age group awards can be picked up at the Results tent starting at 9:30am) |
| 8:30 AM | Shuttles begin to depart | Jackson Park for Belmont & Millennium stations |
| 9:00 AM | Half Marathon Awards Cermony | Finish Fest Stage - Overall only (Age group awards can be picked up at the Results tent starting at 9:30am) |
| 10:00 AM | Kids Run Chicago Starts | E. Hayes Dr. (northeast of the Golden Lady) |
| 11:45 AM | Course and Finish Line close | Jackson Park / Lake Shore Dr. |
| 12:00 PM | Finish Festival & Gear Check Close / Last Shuttles depart | Jackson Park |
Pre-Race Party + Packet Pickup
Location & Schedule
- Navy Pier | 600 E Grand Ave | Chicago, IL 60611
- Friday, September 25 | 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Shakeout Run at 9:00 AM
- Starts and ends at Navy Pier near the outside doors of Festival Hall B
More Than an Expo
The Life Time Chicago Half Marathon Pre-Race Party is more than just an expo. With live music, food and drinks, plenty of running gear and accessories to get you ready for race day, photo ops, and more, you’ll have all the positive vibes you need to get you from the start line to the finish line.
Long-Distance Travel
Hotel Bookings
If you’re traveling from out of town or wish to stay closer to the race venue during the weekend, you can take advantage of the best hotel rates available in the marketplace through our hotel partner – Hotel Planner. This partnership provides the following advantages to make your stay in the windy city a breeze.
Air Travel
If you plan on flying into Chicago, you have two airport options: Chicago Midway (MDW), located 11 miles southwest of downtown, and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) located 15 miles northwest of the city.
- Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- At Midway, the L Train line that operates from the airport to the Loop is the Orange Line. Additionally, you can order a rideshare service, taxi cab, and shuttle buses. For more information, please visit the link below.
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- At O’Hare, the L Train line that operates from the airport to the Loop is the Blue Line. Additionally, you can order a rideshare service, taxi cab, and shuttle buses. For more information, please visit the link below.
Race Day Information
Race Morning Logistics
How to Get There & Where to Park
- Race Location
- Jackson Park | 6401 S Richards Dr. | Chicago, IL 60637
- Transportation Options
- We HIGHLY encourage athletes to take the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) and then head East toward the Museum of Science and Industry parking lots. Note: Google/Apple Maps or your Uber/Lyft driver may be routing you to Lake Shore Drive, however we HIGHLY recommend selecting an alternate route.
- Shuttle Service (needs to be purchased ahead of time)
- Ride Sharing (Uber/Lyft)
- Metra
- Taxi
- Ride Your Bike
- We HIGHLY encourage athletes to take the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) and then head East toward the Museum of Science and Industry parking lots. Note: Google/Apple Maps or your Uber/Lyft driver may be routing you to Lake Shore Drive, however we HIGHLY recommend selecting an alternate route.
- Parking Options
-
- Please keep in mind that parking is limited near the Jackson Park area
- We highly encourage all athletes + spectators that will be driving race morning to carpool, if possible.
- Your best choice for parking is the Museum of Science and Industry parking lots.
General Race Information
Have a Race Goal in Mind?
Pacers will be available for the Half Marathon to help athletes stay on track toward their goal finish time. Pacers will be offered for the following finish times:
Pace Times
Get to know all the details of your race distance course, how gear check works, course closures and pace requirements, and much more via the link below!
Spectator Information
A few tips to ensure a positive race day viewing experience:
- Know exactly what corral your athlete will be in and set a meeting point and time to say your goodbyes!
- Plan your logistics, both within Jackson Park and throughout the course.
- Public transit, parking garages, cabs and/or Divvy bikes are all great options – assuming you know which roads remain open to the public.
- Learn your athlete’s estimated time to reach specific parts of the course, especially at spectator-friendly spots.
- Know what your athlete will be wearing, to easily spot them on the fly.
- Bring a snack, personal refreshments, apply sunscreen, and wear comfy shoes!