The 42nd Annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 13, 2019. The Marathon will begin with the wheel chair participants at approximately 7:20 a.m., the main race starts at 7:30 a.m. Titan would like to provide the following information to keep both spectators and runners safe and provide up-to-date information on events surrounding the marathon.
More than 45,000 runners from 134 countries will be running on Sunday. There are expected to be an estimated 1.7 million spectators. The course runs through 29 neighborhoods in Chicago and is approximately 26.2 miles in length. Extending north to Sheridan Road, west to Damen Avenue and south to 35th Street.
Click here to download the Chicago Marathon App which features runner tracking, real-time weather updates, an interactive map and more.
Starting Times for the Chicago Marathon are as follows:
7:20 a.m. – Men’s
Wheelchair Start
7:21 a.m. – Women’s
Wheelchair Start
7:22 a.m. – Handcycle
Start
7:23 a.m. – Athletes
with disabilities
7:30 a.m. – Wave 1
Start (Red)
8:00 a.m. – Wave 2
Start (Blue)
8:35 a.m. – Wave 3
Start (Orange)
Road Closures
No parking zones go into effect at 1:00 am on Sunday,
October 13, 2019. Be on the look-out for no parking zones in your neighborhood
and areas through which the marathon runs through. Street closures will occur
between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm on the day of the event. However, the roads that
run through Grant Park are expected to be closed longer. The streets will
re-open approximately 15 minutes after the last runner passes through (based off
of a 15 minute per mile pace). The Chicago Police Department will be enforcing
road closures and ensuring the safety of participating runners.
Click
here to view a map with the full list of road closures.
Recommended Spectator
Viewing Areas:
Starting Line: To view runners closest to the start of the
race, go to Grand Avenue, between Columbus Drive and State Street, near Mile 1,
or anywhere along State Street, between Grand Avenue and Jackson Boulevard.
Note that spectators are not able to escort runners to the start line or greet
runners at the finish line.
Finish Line: To view runners closest to the finish of the
race, go to the Bank of America Cheer
Zone at Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road. After the race, spectators should
plan to meet runners at the reunite area in Butler Field, located north of
Jackson Drive, between Columbus Drive and Lake Shore Drive.
Click here to download the Chicago Marathon course map.
Private Security
Partners
- Report suspicious packages and behavior, make
sure staff know it is common for marathon runners to stash gear along the route
- Focus security cameras towards race and critical
assets, ensure your DVR is recording and that staff are trained on gathering
video.
- Please consider staffing camera control rooms
even if not generally staffed on the weekend
- If you have uniformed security personnel, please
place them in forward positions along the race route
- Minimize the number of false suspicious activity
calls by notifying the police if you are using undercover personnel
Safety Tips
- If you see something suspicious, report it
- Carry water and stay hydrated
- Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are
separated from your group
- Utilize the buddy system
- Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
- Leave any valuables at home
- Do not jump any barricades
- Secure handbags and wallets
- Stay calm and pleasant
- Follow your own instincts
- Leave yourself room to move quickly
- If you see an unattended bag, alert police as
quickly as possible
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited before entering Grant
Park.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Animals/pets (except for service animals)
- Bicycles
- Bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of
the body, props and non-running equipment
- Chairs
- Costumes covering the face
- Hard-sided coolers
- Illegal substances
- Large bags (backpacks, suitcases and rolling
bags)
- Remote-controlled aircrafts and drones
- Weapons
As always, if you “See
Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To
report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).