Chicago Marathon Route And Event Rules

Event rules
The following event rules are intended to help produce and direct a large scale event, to
ensure the safety of all participants, to meet the requirements of local government permits
and to be compliant with applicable USA Track & Field (USATF) and International Association
of Athletics Federation (IAAF) regulations for participant performance records and
event liability.

Participation
• Registrants must be capable of completing the full distance, start line to finish line,
within the event time requirement of 6 hours and 30 minutes.
• To register, you must be 16 years of age or older on event day. Individuals under 18 years
of age must have a statement signed by their parent or legal guardian permitting their
participation.
• Each participant must sign an event waiver before participating in the event as part of
the registration process. Registrants under 18 years of age must have the applicant
wavier signed by a parent or legal guardian.
• The event time requirement and age minimum apply to all forms of entry and event
participation.
• Any participant seeking accommodation in respect of a disability must submit a written
request to the Registration Manager, Howard Kambara, at the following e-mail address:
registration(at)chicagomarathon.com
• Participant race number bibs are specific personal identifiers and may not be exchanged
with or transferred/sold to any other person.
• The sale and/or transfer of race entries/bibs is strictly prohibited and will result in the
disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future events.
• The Bank of America Chicago Marathon maintains a no refund and no transfer policy
on all race entries and other offers. Exceptions to the policy may be made only in the
event of military deployment, bereavement or critical illness. In such cases, additional
documentation may be required before a refund request is processed. All requests for
exceptions must be made prior to the event.

Packet (bib number) pick-up
• Participants must pick up their own packets at the Abott Health & Fitness Expo during
regularly scheduled hours. No exceptions.
• Participants must provide photo identification upon picking up their packets to verify
their identity as the registrant to whom the bib number is assigned.
• Participants are responsible for verifying that the timing device provided within their
Participant Packet is working properly prior to the race and worn correctly during the
race. Any problems with the timing device must be addressed at the Participant Services
Desk at the time of Packet Pick-Up.

Event day
• Participants must follow instructions as given from all event officials including race staff,
volunteers, medical personnel, security officers and city officials throughout the duration
of the event.
• All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous
manner during their participation in the event. This means, for example, that urinating
or defecating anywhere on or near the course shall be strictly prohibited except in toilet
facilities. Anyone violating this rule of conduct shall be disqualified from the event and
will be asked to leave the course.
• All participants will be provided with a personally assigned event bib number, which must
be conspicuously worn on the front (and back when applicable) of their running attire
throughout the duration of the event. The event bib number is to be worn as issued. No
participant shall be permitted to participate in the event without his/her appropriate bib
number.
• The use of video devices and computers or any similar devices by participants while in
the event is prohibited.
• The use of wheeled devices by participants or any other person authorized to be on the
course shall be strictly limited to: (a) authorized and registered wheelchair and handcycle
participants and (b) authorized course marshals on bicycles.
• Baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles or any other
wheeled devices are not permitted on the course.
• Participants must begin the event during the official recognized start times.
• The course will remain secured until the 15 minute per mile pace Official End Vehicle
crosses the finish line. At that time, the event is officially concluded and there will be no
traffic protection and aid stations will cease operation.

The start
• Participants will be assigned to designated “start corrals” in accordance with time
qualifying standards established each year by the event management. Assignments
will be based on verification of qualifying performances submitted or performed by
participants (Wave 1) or indicated at the point of registration (Wave 2).
• Participants will be notified of their start corral assignments by mail on their Packet PickUp
Ticket or they may use the online Athlete Center at chicagomarathon.com to ensure
proper assignment once proof of the qualifying standard has been supplied. Additional
information on start corrals is available on the event website: chicagomarathon.com
• All participants are responsible for knowing the race’s start time and check-in method
for their start corral. All participants must be present at the appointed time to receive
instructions and to participate in the Official Start of the race.
• Participants shall assemble for the race in their assigned start corral no less than 15
minutes prior to the race start. Any athlete attempting to enter a start corral to which he/
she is not assigned will be required to start after all other participants have crossed the
start line.
• All participants must enter their start corral at the designated entry points. Any person
who climbs the fence or otherwise enters improperly will be disqualified from the event.
• All participants must be positioned behind the official start line prior to the start of
the race.

Course monitoring
• Any participant who refuses to obey the directions of event officials, city officials or
course marshals, or who conducts himself/herself in an unsportsmanlike manner, or who
is offensive by action or language to officials, volunteers, participants or spectators, may
be disqualified from the event and from future participation at the discretion of race
officials.
• No participant, after leaving the course, will be allowed to rejoin the race either for the
purpose of gaining a place or to pace or to assist another participant.
• Any participant who has been found by a course marshal, event official or surveillance
equipment to have gained an unfair advantage by intentionally shortening the route of
the race (“cutting the course”) will be disqualified from the event.
• A participant who has received any assistance whatsoever from any other person may
be disqualified from the event. “Assistance” includes, without limitation, the conveying
of advice, information or direct or indirect help to an athlete by any means, including
technical communication devices. It also includes pacing by persons not officially
participating in the event. It does not include participation of officially designated Guides
or contracted pacesetters in the race, provided such pacesetters start in the event.
• Any person participating in the event without a current official event bib number or
timing device or a bib or timing device not officially assigned to him/her is subject to
removal and disqualification from future events.
• No persons are authorized to be on the course unless they are registered participants or
authorized event staff. Therefore, no person shall be allowed to accompany a participant
if he/she is not registered in the event, nor shall any participant be allowed, without the
permission of the event management, to receive assistance or refreshment from anyone
during the progress of the event. Any person not properly displaying an official event bib
number will be directed to leave the course.
• A hands-on medical examination during the progress of an event by officially designated
medical personnel is not considered assistance and will not result in disqualification if the
participant is deemed medically fit to continue in the race.

Participant safety
• The use of video devices and computers or similar devices by participants while in the
event is prohibited. The use of wheeled devices by participants or any other person
authorized to be on the course is strictly limited to: (a) authorized and registered
wheelchair and handcycle participants and (b) authorized course marshals on bicycles.
Baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles or any other
wheeled devices will not be permitted.
• Participants are responsible for their recognition and understanding of event signage and
symbols relating to participant maps, facilities and directions.
• Medical personnel authorized by the event to do so may examine any participant who
appears in distress. If, in the sole opinion of authorized medical personnel, it is in the
best interest of the participant’s health and welfare, medical personnel may remove a
participant from the event.
• Participants must retire at once from the race if ordered to do so by a member of the
event staff, medical staff or any governmental authority, including fire and police officers.
• Participants are responsible and assume liability for any and all medical expenses incurred
as a result of training for and/or participation in the event, including but not limited to
ambulance transport, hospital stays, physician and pharmaceutical goods and services.
• Event officials reserve the right to delay, cancel or suspend the race due to inclement
weather in accordance with Emergency Protocol on severe emergencies and/or inclement
weather.

Result timing
• All participants are assigned a timing device prior to the event in their Participant Packet.
• Clock time (gun time) is the official time for designated elite athletes, American
Development Program participants and Wheelchair participants. Official times will be
recorded from the start of the race by the air horn to the point where participants cross
the finish line. Times will be rounded to the next highest second. Net times will not
be used for any purpose regarding designated elite athletes, American Development
Program participants and Wheelchair participants.
• Official times for participants in Start Corrals A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J and K will be the
electronic timing device time (net time) from when the participant crosses the start line
to the point where the participant crosses the finish line.
• Participants must wear their assigned timing device, which is permanently attached to
their bib number, from start line to finish line to receive an accurate finish time.
• Participant net times that exceed the event time requirement (6 hours, 30 minutes) will
not be recognized as official finishers.

Timing disqualification
• Participants found to be wearing two or more timing devices during the race will be
disqualified and their results will not be recorded.
• Participants with missing or irregular split times at official timing checkpoints will be
reviewed and may be disqualified.
• All finish times are reviewed before times are deemed official.
• Participants must begin the event during the official recognized start time in order to
register an official finish time.

Prize money
• In accordance with IAAF and USATF sanctions, athletes are subject to anti-doping rules.
An anti-doping rule violation occurring during or in connection with the event may lead to
disqualification of the athletes’ individual results, including forfeiture of all awards, points
and prizes.
• All finish times and placements are reviewed and deemed official before cash awards are
distributed.
Any U.S. citizen who qualifies for prize money may be required to pay taxes on the gross
amount. W-9 forms with a Social Security Number or Tax ID and signature are required by
the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• Any non-U.S. citizen who qualifies for prize money may be subject to Income Tax
withholding, which will be deducted from the prize money as required by the United
States IRS.
• The age of a participant on the day of the race determines his or her Masters
classification. If age verification is requested, only a birth certificate or a U.S. passport will
be acceptable proof of age.

Exceptions
• Any individual requesting a waiver of any of these rules must submit a written request no
less than 30 days prior to the event date specifying the nature of and reasons for
the request.
Amendments / reservations / acknowledgements
• Event officials reserve the right to modify, supplement or waive all or part of the event
rules.
• Participants shall be bound by any modification or supplement of the event rules
published prior to the event.
• Failure to follow these event rules, as may be amended, will result in immediate
disqualification, loss of prizes and removal from official results.