Race Information

• Pre-Race water in shuttle lot and in finish festival south of the start corrals.
• Aid stations below – toilets and medical at all of them.

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 finish line.

Gear Check and the Finish Festival will close at 12:00 PM. Final shuttles will be departing Jackson Park at 12:00 PM.

In order to meet the pace requirement, we have provided the following mile locations, and associated cutoff times to help you stay on pace:

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.

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.

Gear Check is located within the Finish Festival, located in Jackson Park, just south of the tennis courts. Follow the directional signage throughout the venue to guide you.

NOTE: All baggage must be inside the CLEAR PLASTIC BAG which will be available at Gear Check. Baggage will not be accepted if items are not properly stored inside the bag.

Personal bags or backpacks may not be placed directly in the clear bags. Participants must remove all contents from their backpack, place them inside the clear bag, then place the backpack in the clear bag. All items must be visible.

Close and secure your bag affixing the Gear Check label from the race bib to the bag. Participants must have a race bib to use Gear Check. Only give items to volunteers working at Gear Check.

Arrive early to check bags, as Gear Check will close five minutes before Race Start. Life Time is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. After the race, items must be picked up from the same location before Gear Check closes at 12:00 PM.

Unclaimed items will be donated to charity. All bags are subject to search and seizure by the Chicago Police, event security and Race Officials.

*TIP*
To expedite Gear Check; make certain to secure your bag and affix your Gear Check tab from the bottom of your race bib, using the beaded zip, which is available at Gear Check, so that the tab is visible to the Gear Check crew.

All VIP participants will have a private Gear Check which allows you to avoid the crowd and long lines of the main Gear Check area. For more information, you visit the VIP Experience page here.

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 identifiable with red Medical bibs. Safety is our top priority so be on the look out and say hello as you pass them!

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.

All Half Marathon participants have been assigned into a corral based on their estimated finish time, as indicated by the pace you provided during registration. All participants must begin the race in the specific start corral, identified by the letter sticker located on your bib, which you will receive at the Pre-Race Party/Packet Pickup.

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.” Para Athletes will begin at 6:57 AM. The first Corral (Corral “A”) will start at 7:00 AM. The final Half Marathon runners (Corral “J”) will cross the Start Line at approximately 7:15 AM.

Don’t Be Late! Half Marathon corrals close at 6:45 AM

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

The 5K will begin with a Para Athlete start at 7:35 AM, with the remaining 5K participants starting at 7:45 AM.