Chicago Marathon 
Race Weekend Guide

October 8, 2017

It’s a funny thing to stare at a list of names for months. I’ve been poring over the roster, praying for the impact we will make, learning each person’s story. It feels like I know the team in its entirety despite only having met a portion of you.  Your passion, energy, and desire to change lives have been on clear display. This event becomes the fulfillment of what we’ve been working toward - our goal of clean water for 50,000 kids.

As we run, walk, or hobble through the streets of Chicago, our signature orange jerseys will be impossible to miss. Let’s show everyone why TWV runs. Let’s advocate for the poor, demonstrating compassion to fellow runners as we help provide fullness of life for children in need. I’ve run this race three times. It is AMAZING! I cannot wait for you to experience it and to welcome you into our tent as a marathon finisher!

Running with you,
Josh Folkerts

   

 

 

Race Weekend Overview

Friday, October 6 

9:00am – 8:00 pm: Expo

Saturday, October 7

9:00am – 6:00 pm: Expo

5:30pm  – 7:15 pm: Team Dinner

Sunday, October 8
5:30am - 3:30pm : Race Day!

      5:30am: Arrive at TWV Tent
      5:30am - 6:00am:  Gear Check
      6:00am: Group Photo, Pep-Rally
      6:20am: Walk to Start Corrales
      7:30am: Start
      7:45am: Cheer Station #1 for Fans - Meet at mile marker 3.5 / 11.5
      9:30am: Cheer Station #2 for Fans - Meet at mile marker 22.5
      10:00am - 3:30pm: TWV Finish Party - Food, Music, Celebration, Fun! Open to friends and family!

Download the Chicago Marathon Participant Guide Here


Expo

Friday, October 6
9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Saturday, October 7 
9:00 am – 6:00 pm

McCormick Place  Lakeside Center, Hall D. 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60616
Participants must present their packet pick-up ticket or email along with a photo ID in order to receive their participant packet and participant bag. Individuals will not be allowed to pick up these items on behalf of others or on race day.

Every participant MUST stop by the TWV booth to pick up your race-day tent access sticker. You will not be allowed to enter into the tent area without it!

For driving and parking, use 2301 S. Prairie Ave for the best access to the expo.
Parking will be available to all Abbott Health & Fitness Expo attendees at McCormick Place Parking Lot A for a reduced rate of $10. You must have your parking ticket validated at the Health & Fitness Expo in order to receive the reduced rate.

Free shuttle service is provided to and from the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo from the following four locations:

• Downtown: Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Avenue (8th Street entrance)
• River North: Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Avenue, Rush Street entrance at Ohio (Southwest corner)
• Michigan Avenue: Nike Chicago, 669 N. Michigan Avenue, behind the store to the east on St. Clair Street at Erie Street
• Millennium Park: Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive, upper Wacker Drive at Stetson Avenue

Shuttles will operate every 15 – 20 minutes between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, October 6, and 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 7. The final pick-up time from the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

 


 


Team Dinner Celebration

Saturday, October 7
5:30pm - 7:15pm
Doors open at 5:30pm

UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd Chicago, IL 60607

This will be an incredible evening of celebrations, stories, and carbo-loading for the big race ahead! Don't miss it!

Cost: $18 per person.
Kids under 3 eat free.

Ample parking located two blocks west of the UIC Forum at 1135 S. Morgan St. Lot 5.

RSVP HERE
 


 


Race Day Details for Runners

Sunday, October 8
5:30am - 3:30pm : Race Day!

Meeting Point: Arvey Field in Grant Park, enter off Michigan and 11th

      5:30am: Arrive at TWV Tent
      5:30am - 6:00am:  Gear Check
      6:00am: Group Photo, Pep-Rally
      6:20am: Walk to Start Corrales
      7:30am: Start
      10:00am - 3:30pm: TWV Finish Party - Food, Music, Celebration, Fun! Open to friends and family!

 
Parking & Transportation

•If driving in, use SpotHero to find great parking deals ($15-20 all day).
•If getting dropped off, get dropped off at Michigan Avenue and 11th.
•If taking the L, the nearest station is Roosevelt.

•For participants staying at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, free shuttle rides will be offered to the meeting location.
•Shuttles will leave every 15 minutes.
•Times TBD.


Gear Check

•  Private gear check is provided by Team World Vision.


 

 


Race Day Details for Fans

Cheer Station #1: Miles 3.5 / 11.5

7:45am: 820 N Wells
•  See your runner twice as they head north on LaSalle and south on Wells!
•  Chicago-Brown and Chicago-Red are the nearest train stops. Once you’re there, look for the TWV bowflags.
•  Wear orange!
•  Cheer for people by name!

Cheer Station #2: Mile 22.5

9:30am:  200 W. 31st St.
•  See your runner with 6K to go! 6K is the average distance children walk for water in Africa and this will be a very special moment in our team’s run.
•  Get back on the Chicago-Red and take it to Sox 35th - Red. Walk .3 miles north on Wentworth and you’re there!
•  Wear orange!
•  Cheer for people by name!

Finish Party : Come celebrate and eat!

10:00am - 3:30 pm: TWV Finish Tent,  Arvey Field in Grant Park, enter off Michigan and 11th
• Hop back on the Red Line and get off at Roosevelt. 
• Enter at 11th and Michigan

 


 


What to Wear

Your race will happen rain or shine! Be sure to have all of the right gear for race day.

<40° : Wear a hat or headband, gloves, long sleeved shirt, TWV jersey, tights or running pants
40°-60° : Wear short sleeves, a hat or headband, gloves, TWV jersey, tights or running pants
60°-75° : Wear TWV jersey, shorts, sunblock
>75° : Wear TWV tank, shorts, visor/hat, sunblock, sunglasses


 


Packing Checklist

Lay out your gear the night before your race for a smooth morning on Race Day

•  Team World Vision Jersey with your name on it!
•  Bib (safety pinned to your jersey)
•  Running shoes & socks
•  Running shorts / spandex
•  Extra running clothes (think warm & cold gear)
•  Body glide
•  GPS Watch / App
•  Hat / Visor
•  Sunglasses
•  Music Player
•  Gu / Gels / Energy
•  Warm toss-away clothes to wear before the race (ditch them at the start line, most races donate the clothes)
•  I.D.


 


Words of Wisdom

Pre-Race
• Write your name on your Jersey (so that people can cheer for you by name)
• Lay out all of your race gear the night before for a smooth race morning and charge your GPS Watch/Smartphone
• Look through the official race website for the latest info on details (your start corral, street closures, weather alerts, start times, etc)

Race Morning
• Eat what you normally eat before a long run
• Leave extra time for travel, parking, and traffic
• Go to the pep rally at the TWV Tent
• Go Potty. This sounds silly but race morning port-a-potties tend to have long lines and waits. Get ahead of it!
• Take a selfie & post fundraising link at the beginning of the race

Start / Finish
• Take a selfie & post your fundraising link in the start corral
• Start slow, finish strong. The beginning of the race is filled with excitement. Hold your horses and go a little bit slower than your normal pace to start.
• Smile for cameras, and in general - smiles take away pain
• Leave toss-away sweats at start line (they will get donated)
• Save your headphones/music for the back half of the race
• Walk the aid stations, or any other time you need a break for that matter. You're still moving forward.
• Drink before you’re thirsty, eat before you’re hungry
• Know that it will get hard at points during the race but push through and know that it will pass. Remember WHY we run.

 


You can do this!

Still have questions? Visit the official race website at www.chicagomarathon.com to get all the other details you might need or contact us at [email protected].
Use the hashtag #TeamWorldVision this weekend when you post about your race on social media!