Start Corrals

All Half Marathon runners have been assigned into a corral based on their estimated Finish time, as indicated on the participant bib. View the Course Map for locations of Gear Check, portable toilets, water, etc.

Half Marathon participants must line-up at the Start according to their specific start corral, identified as the letter before your participant number on the runner bib. Participants may move back (to slower corrals) in order to start with others, but may not move forward. The Half Marathon will begin with continuous, rolling “waves.” Wheelchairs will begin at 6:45 a.m. The first runners (Corral “A”) will start at 7:00 a.m. The final Half Marathon runners (Corral “N”) will cross the Start Line by 7:15 a.m.

NOTE: All Half Marathoners will clear the Start Line by 7:15 a.m., when the 16-minute per mile pace (the maximum pace allowed) countdown begins. Half Marathon participants who arrive after 7:15 a.m. will not be allowed to proceed on course. Late half marathoners will have to participate in the 5K race.

The 5K will begin with a wheelchair start at 7:35 a.m., followed by the first runners at 7:45 a.m. using a self-seeding system. Pace signs will be set up prior to the 5K start to group runners of similar pace. 

SEEDING & CORRALS

To ease congestion at the start and improve the runner experience on the course, runners will be assigned to seeded start corrals before the race according to their expected finish time, with the fastest runners in front. Once a corral is assigned, it cannot be changed. Runners wishing to run together must go to the corral of the slower runner.

Corral Qualifying Requirements

Runners will have to provide proof of pace with previous results to info@chicagohalfmarathon.com When prompted during registration to input an Estimated Finish Time, you must also provide proof of that race – of equal or greater distance- completed within the past year. Athlinks will be used to verify all submitted finish times.

Medical Support

Medical assistance will be available at numerous Aid Stations along the route, along with a Medical facility located at the Finish Line. Participants requiring medical assistance may be transported to one of the nearby hospitals, and will be billed by the hospital and ambulance provider. Participants must give on-scene medical personnel the freedom to determine which facility will be utilized.

IMPORTANT! Each participant must complete the medical information form on the back of their bib. Please take time to fill out your medical information and provide emergency contact information. This makes your information available to health care professionals in the event you are unable to communicate with them.

Mobile medical responders will also be stationed throughout the course, including the Race Guards – a unique set of race volunteers whose sole purpose is to keep an eye out for participants who may need assistance along the course. Race Guards provide supplementary medical support to the existing race medical plan for an added level of athlete safety by running along side the participants. They will patrol the course, help out where necessary and are easily identi able with red Medical bibs. Safety is our top priority so be on the look out and say hello as you pass them! 

Aid Stations

Pre-race water will be located on the southeast corner of Hayes & Cornell near the Start Corrals.

Water and Gatorade Endurance (Lemon-Lime) will be provided along 10 Course Aid Stations. Aid Stations will be located at the following locations:

Mile 2.2, Mile 3.25, Mile 5.2, Mile 6.3, Mile 7.5, Mile 8.7, Mile 9.8, Mile 11, Mile 11.8, Mile 12.6 and the Finish Line.

Gatorade Endurance Gels will be provided at Aid Station F.

Water and Gatorade Endurance will be available at the Finish Line.

Portable toilets will be included at each of the Aid Stations listed above, as well as throughout the Start, Finish and Finish Festival areas. 

Pace Team

Chicago Endurance Sports will provide pace groups for the following  finishing times:

1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00.

Participants do not need to sign up for a pace group in advance, they can simply join the group the day of. They will be carrying signs with the  nish time. Visit the “Pace Group” booth at the Expo for more details. 

Course Closures / Pace Requirements

The Chicago Half Marathon is the city’s only road race to utilize an entirely traffic-free Lake Shore Drive. Witnessing the sweeping views along one of the nation’s most famous and scenic roadways requires intricate coordination with the City of Chicago, the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).

In order to lessen the community impact of closing Lake Shore Drive (and surrounding streets), this event offers a 16-minute mile pace requirement.

A 16-minute mile pace goes into effect as soon as the last participant crosses the start line and is maintained by the Back of the Pack Crew – a group of volunteer runners who encourage runners to stay on-pace. The Back of the Pack Crew is followed by the SAG van and a clean-up crew, who work to immediately reopen the course at specific time intervals.

Participants who do not maintain the 16-minute pace and fall behind the Back of the Pack Crew will have two options:

1. Move to south bound Lake Shore Drive, which can be accessed at three different locations/checkpoints along Lake Shore Drive.
2. Board the SAG van and be transported to the  nish line.

The Finish Line will remain open until 11:30 a.m. Gear Check and the Finish Festival will close at 12:00 p.m. 

Beat the Clock! In order to meet the pace requirement, we offer the following mile locations, south bound Lake Shore Drive access points and times to help you stay on pace:

Mile 2.6 8:00 a.m. Marquette & Lake Shore Drive (North Bound) Directed to 5K Finish Mile 3.6 8:20 a.m. Hayes Dr. & Lake Shore Drive (North Bound) Directed to 5K Finish Mile 6 8:51 a.m. 47th Street & Lake Shore Drive (North Bound) Directed to south bound Mile 7.5 9:15 a.m. Oakwood & Lake Shore Drive (North Bound) Directed to south bound

PLEASE DO NOT START EARLY! Traffic and safety rules prohibit early starts. Early starts will be eliminated from the Official Results. If you cannot maintain a 16-minute per pace mile, you will be required to divert to the Lakefront Trail.

SAG Support / Back of the Pack Crew

The Back of the Pack Crew and SAG van will signify the end of the field and the maximum 16-minute per mile pace. They will not start timing until the last person crosses the Start Line and will be with you throughout the race. If you cannot keep pace, you will be directed to turn around and head toward the Finish on south bound Lake Shore Drive or to board the SAG Van. 

EVENT ALERT SYSTEM

This race will utilize the EAS system, encompassing a color-coded system to reveal current event conditions. Participants will notice flags posted throughout the Race Venue, at the Finish Line and at each Aid Station on Race Day. EAS updates will be communicated through PA announcements, social media, web posts and/or dedicated emails.

AWARDS

FINISH FESTIVAL

Invite your friends and family to join you at the Finish Festival to celebrate your accomplishment as well as cheer on other participants as they cross the Finish Line.

There will be food, including Home Run Inn Pizza, Begyle Brewing Co. Beer (ID Required), merchandise and great activities for all ages.

Begyle Brewing Co. Beer Garden: Participants 21 years and older can enjoy a complimentary Begyle beer (additional beers available by donation-cash only) Additional beers can be secured with tips that support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Music: The Finish Festival area will be a great place for participants and spectators to celebrate their accomplishment. Enjoy the great live music at the Main Stage from 8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Merchandise: Get your official Chicago Half Marathon and Life Time 5K merchandise in the Official Merchandise tent at the Finish Festival.

Free Stretching: Participants can enjoy free stretching courtesy of Athletico in the Finish Festival area.

Sponsor Village: Sponsors and groups will be located throughout the park area providing a variety of giveaways and hands-on activities throughout the day. 

FAMILY REUNION AREA

Meet your friends and family in the Family Reunion Area located in the post-race party after the Chicago Half Marathon and 5K at Jackson Park. This area will be divided by letter of the alphabet and will feature live entertainment. Please make meeting plans prior to the start of the event.