tips, requirements and more for runners – NBC Chicago

NOTE: A live stream of the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will appear in the player above beginning at 7 a.m. Tune in live for complete race coverage and a finish line camera showing runners as they cross the finish line.

Over 47,000 runners will hit the streets in less than two days for the 45th annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon. 

The course will host everyone from elite athletes to casual marathoners in one of the biggest marathons in the world. Whether you’re a seasoned Chicago Marathoner or it’s your first time on this course, here’s everything you need to know about starting off on the right foot on race day. 

What to bring

The most crucial item to bring to the race is your participant bib as part of your race-day packet. You can’t enter the course without it.

Chicago Marathon participants must pick up their race-day packet at the Abbott Health and Fitness Expo in McCormick Place, located at 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive. The expo’s open until 6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Attendees can find over 100 vendors offering the chance to purchase sports gear, watch speaker events and engage with interactive experiences. 

The packet includes:

• Bib number and safety pins
• MYLAPS BibTag timing device
• Gear check tag
• Nike participant running shirt
• Participant bag
• Participants over 21 will receive a tag on their bib number for one redeemable Goose Island Beer after the race.

Runners can only check their clear race-issued participant bag at the Buckingham Fountain Gear Check facility. You should not be leaving valuable items like wallets, cell phones or jewelry in your checked bag. Organizers are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. However, you will be able to access a Lost and Found.

You’re permitted to bring a change of extra clothes, a small snack or a pair of small earphones to listen to music if you’re not an athlete competing for overall award or prize money. But, there is a list of things you aren’t allowed to bring too.

What not to bring

The following items are not allowed in Grant park as they can be deemed dangerous or inappropriate: 

• Large bags (backpacks, suitcases and rolling bags)
• Hard-sided coolers
• Costumes covering the face
• Any non-forming bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body, props and non-running equipment
• Bicycles
• Pets/animals (except for service animals)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Illegal substances
• Chairs
• Weapons
• Remote controlled aircrafts and drones

The following items are not allowed on the marathon course: 

• Wheeled devices are not permitted other than a registered and authorized wheelchair, handcycle and duo team participants. Prohibited wheeled devices include non-registered wheelchairs and handcycles, baby joggers, strollers, skateboards, rollerblades and bicycles. Motorized devices of any kind are prohibited.
• The use of selfie-sticks, camera mounts, video devices, computers or any similar devices by anyone while participating in the event is prohibited.
• Camelbaks® and any type of hydration backpack are not permitted. For the avoidance of doubt, fuel belts and hand-held water bottles are allowed. Please be aware you may be asked to empty the contents of these containers before entering Grant Park.
• Music devices with headphones are permitted for use on the course; however, participants must be alert to their surroundings at all times and must pay attention to important announcements made in Grant Park and along the course. Music devices with headphones are not permitted for use by athletes in the American Development Program.
• Additional prohibited items on the course route include, but are not limited to: large bags (backpacks, suitcases and rolling bags), hard-sided coolers, costumes covering the face, any non-forming bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body, props and non-running equipment, including flagpoles and sticks, pets/animals (except for service animals), alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, chairs, weapons, remote-controlled aircrafts and drones.

Last-minute things to do before race day

Marathoners should stick to their curated training regimen in the days running up to the race. Doing a light run can help improve blood flow to your muscles and improve your neuromuscular system without causing soreness, energy loss or fatigue before the big day. If runners have prepared properly, resting the day before a race shouldn’t affect their marathon performance, experts say.

Eat carb-heavy meals. Try to have over 85% of your calories come from carbohydrates so that your body has a lot of fuel for energy. Carbohydrate sources can include pasta, rice, oats, bagels, potatoes and…