Pregnancy and postpartum policy
We have put into place an exception to our standard event policies to permit deferral for participants who need to cancel their registration due to being pregnant, recently pregnant or postpartum. Registered participants who become pregnant or have given birth since registering for the event are eligible to cancel and defer their entry and fee to a future Abbot5 Chicago 5K within a three-year window.
Registered participants requesting a cancellation under this policy must email a completed Physician Authorization Form to office@chicago5k.com by 11:59 p.m. (Central Time) on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. The Physician Authorization Form must be completed by a physician, registered midwife or other medical professional. At our discretion, we may waive this requirement under certain circumstances such as miscarriage.
If you have questions about this policy, or would like to discuss other circumstances relating to pregnancy, please contact us at office@chicago5k.com.
Registered participants who are eligible for cancellation and deferral under this policy and secured entry through the event’s Charity or International Tour Program are required to contact the non-profit or tour coordinator to cancel their entry.
Registered participants requesting a cancellation should be aware of the following:
- The guaranteed entry is specific to you and may not be transferred to any other person.
- You must claim your guaranteed entry during the future event application window (2024, 2025 or 2026).
- An email will be sent to eligible participants when the application window is open. The email will include instructions on how to claim your complimentary guaranteed entry.
- Your 2023 event entry fee will be deferred to a future event (2024, 2025 or 2026). If there is an increase in the event entry fee, you will not be required to pay the difference.
- If you purchased additional items for the 2023 event, those items are non-refundable and will not be applied to future participation.
- The application window and race dates for future Abbott Chicago 5K events have not been finalized. Historically, the Abbott Chicago 5K has been held the second Saturday of October.
- Once this process has been completed, it cannot be undone. At our discretion, we will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Please note, if an eligible participant cannot claim their guaranteed entry during the three-year window because of an additional pregnancy, they will be eligible for an additional cancellation under the policy.
In the event the 2023 Abbott Chicago 5K is cancelled, the option to defer will be void and all participants will be eligible to receive a partial refund for their 2023 entry fee or defer their place to the 2024 event, as outlined in the event cancellation policy.
Registered participants going through adoption or surrogacy, or who have a partner who is pregnant, are eligible for the Abbott Chicago 5K’s standard cancellation policy. Learn more about the entry cancellation process.
Private lactation spaces will be available for registered postpartum participants during race weekend. Participants are asked to indicate their interest in using a private lactation space by emailing office@chicago5k.com at least one month in advance of the event. If such advance notice is not possible, please notify us as soon as practicable. Additional information about private lactation spaces will be made available on the event website before the event.
