The City of Chicago and Race Organizers Prepare for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon set for Sunday, October 12

CHICAGO - City of Chicago officials and Bank of America Chicago Marathon organizers are reminding the public about the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 12. More than 53,000 runners from all 50 states and more than 130 countries are expected to travel through 29 neighborhoods for the 26.2-mile race, requiring street closures and parking restrictions throughout the Chicago Marathon Course. Plans are in place for a safe and successful Chicago Marathon weekend, which includes the Abbott Chicago 5K on Saturday, October 11. Residents, spectators, participants, and motorists are urged to be mindful of the traffic impacts as well as safety measures in place for these events.

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications along with city and private sector partners, will monitor the day's events, activating the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in order to coordinate resources as needed.

"The City of Chicago has been working with race organizers and our law enforcement partners in the planning and execution of the Marathon, in an effort to minimize impacts while making it a safe event for race participants, residents and visitors," said Frank Velez, Executive Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). "Safety is our number one priority, and we want to remind everyone to report any suspicious or criminal activity by calling 9-1-1."

Report Suspicious Activity: If You See Something, Say Something™ OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity - especially in large gatherings. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon's national and international reputation as a world-class event has helped to raise more than $358 million for various charitable causes since 2002 and generated $683 million dollars in economic impact in 2024.

"We're thrilled to welcome more than 53,000 participants, 10,000 volunteers and the Chicago community this weekend for the 47th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon," said Carey Pinkowski, Executive Race Director. "No event in Chicago brings people, neighborhoods, businesses, public safety, and government agencies together more than the Chicago Marathon. We're excited to celebrate our city and our sport on the streets of Chicago this weekend."

The 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon includes the Abbott Health and Fitness Expo, home to the event's packet pick-up beginning on Thursday, October 9 through Saturday, October 11 located at Chicago's McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Hall D from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Abbott Chicago 5K - Saturday, October 11

The Abbott Chicago 5K will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 11. The 3.1-mile race will kick off in Grant Park on Ida B. Wells Drive between Columbus Drive and Michigan Avenue, running west on Harrison Street before weaving through the loop on Wacker Drive and ending at Wacker Drive and Adams Street. Michigan Avenue north of Ida B. Wells will remain open. Parking restrictions are in place starting at 1 a.m. on Saturday along the course. Vehicles that are not removed from the street by that time will be ticketed and towed. For inquiries about towed vehicles, call 312.744.4444.

For more information, visit Chicago5K.com. The following streets will be closed to traffic between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. for the 5K on Saturday. Please be aware that crews may begin placing street closure equipment prior to the scheduled close.

• Ida B. Wells Dr., between Columbus Dr. and Michigan Ave.
• E. Congress Plaza Dr., between Ida B. Wells Dr and Michigan Ave.
• Michigan Ave., between Ida B. Wells Dr and Balbo Dr.
• Harrison St., between Michigan Ave. and Franklin St.
• State St., between E. Harrison St. and W. Harrison St.
• Franklin St., between Harrison St. and Adams St.
• Van Buren St., between Wacker Dr. and Franklin St.
• Southbound Wacker Dr., between Michigan Ave. and Van Buren St.
• Northbound Wacker Dr., between Adams St. and Michigan Ave.
• Jackson Blvd., between Wacker Dr. and Franklin St.
• Wacker Dr. between Adams St. and Van Buren St. will be closed from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon Race Day Information for Participants

As race day approaches, event organizers strongly encourage participants to stay informed of race day conditions and be familiar with event rules and the color-coded Event Alert System (EAS), which will communicate the status of course and weather conditions to participants leading up to and on race day found here. The race starts and finishes in Grant Park. The professional races start with the wheelchair field at 7:20 a.m. followed by the open field at 7:30 a.m. The first wave in the mass participation race will begin the race at 7:35 a.m. The second wave will begin at 8 a.m. The final group will begin at 8:35 a.m. The location for Runner Reunite will be staged in Butler Field with alphabetical signs throughout the 27^th Mile Post-Race Party to facilitate meeting locations by name.

Traffic Impacts/Street Closures

With thousands of participants and spectators along the route, as well as street closures prior and during the race, those traveling throughout downtown and the various neighborhoods should allow extra time, expect delays, or consider alternate routes-such as the expressway system-to avoid the impacts of the race.

Street closures in the Grant Park area began on Thursday, September 25 with the closure of Balbo from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive at 6 a.m., which will reopen Friday, October 17 at 3 p.m. Additional Street closures for race day at the start/finish line area can be expected through the weekend, including:

• Thursday, September 25: Balbo Dr. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will close at 6:00 a.m. and reopen on Friday, October 17 at 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 9: Jackson Dr. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will close at 10:00 a.m. and reopen on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:00 a.m.
• Thursday, October 9: Balbo Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Monday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 9: Columbus Dr. from Ida B. Wells Dr. to Balbo Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Monday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 9: Columbus Dr. from Balbo Dr. to Roosevelt Rd. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Monday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 10: Columbus Dr. from Monroe St. to Jackson Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 10: Columbus Dr. from Jackson Dr. to Ida B. Wells Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 10: Congress Plaza Dr. from Michigan Ave. (Van Buren St. to Harrison St.) will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 10: Jackson Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 11: Columbus Dr. from Randolph St. to Monroe St. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 11: Roosevelt Rd. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will close at 11:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 11: Monroe St. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 11: Monroe St. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 3:00 p.m.
• All streets will be fully reopened by Friday, October 17 at 3:00 p.m.

Race day street closures along the route will begin at approximately 6 a.m. on Sunday, October 12 and are anticipated to be reopened by 4:30 p.m. or when it is deemed safe to do so. Visit link for Bank of America Chicago Marathon street closures and route. Please be aware that crews may begin placing street closure equipment prior to the scheduled close.

Beginning early Sunday morning, parking restrictions will be in effect along the course. For public safety and traffic flow, the towing of vehicles along the route and other posted "No Parking Zones" will be strictly enforced. Motorists are encouraged to read signage before parking and should call 312-744-4444 to locate a towed vehicle.

The following main thoroughfares, among others, will remain open:

• DuSable Lake Shore Drive

• Inner Lake Shore Drive will remain open from Diversey Parkway to Belmont Avenue. Access to DuSable Lake Shore Drive will remain open at Belmont.
• Expressways

Public Transportation

As always, public transportation is encouraged if heading to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon or other destinations in the impacted areas. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit TransitChicago.com or call 836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR-CTA. Metra will offer extra service on race day. For specific schedule information, visit Metra.com. The City has worked with licensed Transportation Network Providers (TNP rideshare services) to ensure that pick-up and drop-off locations are available throughout the city, in geo-fenced areas that are a safe distance off the route.

Security Measures

Safety is always a primary concern and security measures and restrictions that have been in place for several years will be strictly enforced. Participants will be required to show an ID to obtain race packets at the Abbott Health and Fitness Expo and must use race-issued clear bags to store their personal belongings during the race. Runners must enter the race staging area at designated gateways in Grant Park through security checkpoints at Michigan Avenue near Congress Drive, Jackson Drive, Van Buren Street, Congress Boulevard, and Harrison Street. Grant Park Site Map

Race organizers expect more than 1 million spectators to line city streets along the Marathon route. Chicago Police will be deploying uniformed and plainclothes officers as well as implementing other safety measures to ensure the event's safety. Officers will also conduct random bag checks of spectators carrying backpacks or large bags. As in previous years, runners will not be allowed to leave unattended bags or clothing items within Grant Park or along the route. If officers or race officials see an unattended bag along the route, it will be collected and discarded.

Only participants displaying their event-issued bib numbers, credentialed event staff and ticketed guests (where applicable) will have access to the race start and finish areas within Grant Park. Spectators should be aware that they will not have access to these areas. Only registered runners are allowed to participate in the Marathon. Non-registered runners joining the race at any point throughout the route or finish line is prohibited and will be strictly enforced.

For more information, including race-day restrictions and policies, visit the Marathon website at ChicagoMarathon.com

The Chicago Police Department will also have police officers in and around the marathon footprint to ensure safety for spectators and runners. Additional resources, such as CPD's SWAT Unit and Helicopter Unit, will also be deployed to the marathon to ensure public safety throughout the route.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a TFR for the airspace within a 2 nautical miles (2NM) radius of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, October 12, 2025. The TFR will be in place from 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Unauthorized drones, unmanned aircraft systems, and manned aircraft will be prohibited to fly within the TFR without an approved FAA Waiver. Individuals who fail to adhere to the TFR could face detainment/fines by law enforcement and/or FAA personnel.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) advises residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, and increased traffic in the area.

Report Suspicious Activity: If You See Something, Say Something™ OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity - especially in large gatherings. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

Citywide deployments for the weekend are planned in order to ensure the safety and security of the public. The OEMC will monitor events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and coordinate public safety resources as needed. OEMC, Chicago Police Department and city departments collaborate to share communications regularly through daily coordination calls that allows for enhanced citywide coordination and activation of safety plans.

Chicago OEMC App - Know Before You Go

For safety and preparedness at your fingertips, residents and festival goers are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar, and other weather-related information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website, Chicago.gov/OEMC.

Public Transportation: For all large events, public transportation is encouraged. Public transit is the most affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to and from events.

Grant Park and Lakefront Poles Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, residents and visitors are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the light poles throughout the Grant Park area and along the lakefront. The green signs with white letters and numbers are also located from 5700 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive to 6600 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and at various points alongthe lakefront from Oak Street to Fullerton and Montrose to Foster Avenue to help residents reference their location within the park to friends, family and first responders if there is an emergency and you call 9-1-1.

Weather and Public Safety: OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. Residents are encouraged to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date information, please tune into local media or download the Chicago OEMC app.

OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

• Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT "CHILAKE" to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT "CHIBIZ" to 6-7-2-8-3

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).