FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Important Updates for the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon, in partnership with city
officials, today announced a few important changes to participant
procedures.
Designed to enhance the safety of all participants, volunteers, spectators
and staff members, the following updates were communicated to the 45,000
registered runners today. These modifications to previously existing
policies will be strictly enforced at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Health & Fitness Expo and on race day in Grant Park.
-Runners must pick up their own Participant Packets-which include their
event-issued bib numbers, timing devices, event T-shirts and Participant
Bags-at the Health & Fitness Expo (Oct. 11 - Oct. 12). The event will no
longer allow individuals to pick up packets on behalf of others.
-Individuals entering Grant Park on race day will pass through one of four
designated security and bag screening checkpoints located off of Michigan
Avenue. Runners should affix their event-issued bib number to their attire
in a visible manner to ease entry into the Park, and spectators are
strongly discouraged from carrying bags into Grant Park to maintain an
efficient flow of pedestrians.
-Runners will only be able to bring inside the perimeter of Grant Park on
race day a clear, plastic event-issued Participant Bag. This bag is the
only one that will be accepted at the designated Gear Check tents, and will
help expedite the bag screening process.
-As in years past, general spectators will not have access to the race start
and finish line areas within Grant Park on race day, as these areas will
only be accessible to participants displaying their event-issued bib
numbers, event staff with proper credentials, and ticketed guests (where
applicable).
-The Marathon recommends spectators support runners from elsewhere on the
course, and meet runners after the race at the designated Runner Reunite
Area in Grant Park's Butler Field, which will be open to spectators at 9
a.m.
Additional event information is available at chicagomarathon.com.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 36th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a
world-class elite runner and wheelchair athlete field, and an estimated 1.7
million spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, the
iconic race assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of
charitable causes while generating $219 million in annual economic impact
to its host city according to a report by the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign's Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.).
The 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Grant
Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 13. In advance of the race,
a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention
Center on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12.
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