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October 12, 2024

Event Information

Chicago is more than just a big city. It’s a city of neighborhoods and people that represent vibrant and diverse backgrounds and cultures. Every October, runners travel to Chicago to experience this incredible city by running through it at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Whether you’re looking for a shakeout run before the Chicago Marathon or want to be part of the excitement of race weekend, we invite you to join us for the Abbott Chicago 5K.

Don’t miss your opportunity to run through the streets of downtown Chicago and celebrate running in a world-class city! Registration for 2024 is now open.

Learn more about the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and other race weekend activities at chicagomarathon.com.


Schedule of events

Thursday, October 10
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo; Packet Pick-up
McCormick Place

Friday, October 11
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo; Packet Pick-up
McCormick Place

Saturday, October 12
Abbott Chicago 5K
Grant Park, Chicago, IL

Start corrals open: 6:30 a.m.
Wheelchair start: 7:25 a.m.
Race start: 7:30 a.m.
Finish line closes: 9 a.m.

Times subject to change


Event bib numbers

The Abbott Chicago 5K will mail a limited number of packets to participants for the 2024 event. This will be an option for participants at the point of registration or through the participant account and will only be available to U.S. residents who select and pay $20 to have their packets mailed. The deadline to purchase packet mailing is Thursday, August 8. The packet mailing option includes the shipment of your event bib number and promotional item.

Abbott Health & Fitness Expo location and time

McCormick Place Convention Center (2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr.)
Thursday, October 10 and Friday, October 11

Important bib number information


Transportation

Public transportation is highly recommended for race day transportation. For more information on public transportation options visit the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) website at transitchicago.com or Metra at metra.com.

 
Parking –  Grant Park South Garage 

If you are driving into the city for the race, we encourage you to pre-purchase your parking at a discounted rate by going to millenniumgarages.com/rates. Be sure to allow extra time due to street closures and detours due to the event and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 13. The Grant Park South Garage is located at 325 S. Michigan Avenue. For directions and more information, visit millenniumgarages.com.


Course

The Abbott Chicago 5K course will weave through downtown taking runners on a 3.1-mile journey past iconic Chicago landmarks.

2023 Abbott Chicago 5K course map (.pdf)*

*Subject to change

Start corrals

All Abbott Chicago 5K participants are assigned to a start corral. Your start corral placement is based on your projected pace per mile. 

If you would like to run with someone in a different corral, you may move back corrals as space allows.

Gear check

Gear check will not be available at the Abbott Chicago 5K. Do not store, hide or leave any personal items along or near the race course, including the start and finish line areas. You are responsible for safely storing your gear offsite prior to the race. Any items left unattended will be removed from the area and will not be made available later. 

Course support

One on-course aid station will offer water, medical support and toilet facilities. The aid station is located at approximately the halfway point.

Course time limit

Runners must maintain a 15-minute per mile pace and complete the full 5K (3.1 miles) distance—start line to finish line—within the event time requirement of 45 minutes (mm:ss/45:59). Runners who finish outside of the time requirement may not be recorded as official finishers and may not receive full on-course support.

Timing checkpoints, clock and mile markers

Timing checkpoints are positioned at the start and finish lines. Your timing device will register your time at each of these checkpoints.

Digital clocks are positioned at the start line and at the finish line to provide the elapsed race time. Mile markers are positioned at each mile. Digital clocks at the finish line will display the elapsed race time, which begins with the official start of the race. Your individual race time may differ depending on when you cross the official start line.

Street closures

For businesses and residents that live along the course, please be aware that street closures will take place on race day. Click the link below to view street closure information for the 2024 event.

Street closure information for the Abbott Chicago 5K will be available in advance of the event. To receive information on street closures, please fill out the form below.



Event Alert System

The color-coded Event Alert System (EAS) will communicate the status of race conditions leading up to and on race day. EAS levels range from Low (Green) to Moderate (Yellow) to High (Red) to Extreme (Black) based primarily on weather, as well as other conditions. All participants should remain alert for directions from race officials and announcers and take precautions to prepare properly for varying conditions on race day.

 


Learn more

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Experience the Bank of America Chicago Marathon weekend.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon
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