Event rules

EVENT RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS 
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 any applicable governmental orders or restrictions and to be compliant with applicable USA Track & Field (USATF) and World Athletics 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. Registrants under 18 years of age must have the registration form completed by a parent or legal guardian permitting participation.
• Each participant must read and agree to/sign an Event waiver before participating in the Event. A parent or legal guardian must complete the registration form and agree to/sign the Event waiver for registrants under 18 years of age.
• 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 Para Athletics Coordinator at para.athletics@chicagomarathon.com.
• Participant Event number bibs are specific personal identifiers and may not be exchanged, transferred or sold to any other person.
• The sale, trade and/or transfer of Event entries/Event number bibs is strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future events.
• Registration closure is determined and announced when event participation reaches the established participant capacity.
• Capacity is subject to change at the discretion of Event and government officials. In the event that capacity is reduced after registration is complete, Event organizers will inform participants of their accommodation options.
• All Event entry fees, and ancillary purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Participant Cancellation
    • Participants have the option to pay an additional service fee for a 100% refund of the registration fee and additional products paid by the participant at the time of registration purchase if a participant cannot attend for one of the reasons listed in the Terms & Conditions.
    • Participants may cancel their entry at any time through their participant account. While all Event fees (entry, ancillary products, etc.) are non-refundable, except as set forth above, and will not be applied to future participation, participants who cancel their entry will have access to a guaranteed entry for the next Event. Please note, this opportunity is not available to participants who received a guaranteed entry for the Event through the charity or tour group applications.
  • Event Cancellation
    • The Event may be postponed, ended early or cancelled altogether by an Event official or governmental official for circumstances beyond the Event’s reasonable control, including, without limitation, war, epidemic, civil or political unrest, terrorism or inclement weather conditions. In such circumstance, Event officials will outline refund or deferment options in our Event policies.
    • In the event of cancellation of the Event, the Event will have no responsibility for any costs incurred by the Participant as a result of cancellation including any travel, accommodation or other costs or expenses and the Event will have no liability or responsibility to the Participant.

Packet (bib number) pick-up

• Participants must pick up their own packets at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo during identified 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 attached to their assigned bib number is worn correctly during the race.
• Event attendees must adhere to city, state and other public health guidelines and orders. Event attendees who are sick should not attend the Event. This includes Event Attendees who:
  • Have a suspected or diagnosed/confirmed infectious illness
  • Are exhibiting symptoms of infectious illness such as: cough, fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or sore throat
  • Have had exposure to a suspected or confirmed infectious illness within 10 days of performing contracted onsite event site work

Event day

• Participants must follow instructions as given from all Event officials including race staff, volunteers, medical personnel, fire and police officials, security officers and city officials throughout the duration of the Event.
• Event attendees must adhere to city, state and other public health guidelines and orders. Event attendees who are sick should not attend the Event. This includes Event Attendees who:
  • Have a suspected or diagnosed/confirmed infectious illness
  • Are exhibiting symptoms of infectious illness such as: cough, fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or sore throat
  • Have had exposure to a suspected or confirmed infectious illness within 10 days of performing contracted onsite event site work
• All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner during their participation in the Event. This means, for example, alcohol consumption, urinating or defecating in public except in designated toilet facilities, participant obstruction anywhere on or near the course shall be strictly prohibited unless facilitated by the Event. 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 their appropriate bib number.
• The use of music devices is permitted during the race; however, in keeping with USATF rules for championship races, participants competing for overall awards or prize money may not use music or communication devices during the Event. The use of cell phones, cameras or similar devices by participants while in the Event is discouraged, and Event officials reserve the right to disqualify any participant using such devices who pose a safety hazard on the course.
• The use of selfie-sticks and any camera mount or rig by participants while in the Event, is prohibited.
• The use of video devices, computers, drones, unmanned aerial devices, or any similar devices are not permitted on or near the race course.
• The use of wheeled devices by participants or any other person authorized to be on the race course shall be strictly limited to: (a) authorized and registered wheelchair, handcycle and duo team 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 race course. Motorized devices of any kind are prohibited.
• Additional prohibited items on the race course route include, but are not limited to: large bags (backpacks, suitcases and rolling bags), hard-sided coolers, costumes covering the full face (except face coverings if mandated by governmental order), any non-forming bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body, props and non-running equipment, including flagpoles and sticks, pets/animals (except service animals that are trained to perform specific work or tasks for a person with a disability), alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, chairs, weapons, remote-controlled aircrafts and drones, Camelbaks® and any type of hydration backpack. For the avoidance of doubt, fuel belts and hand-held water bottles are allowed.
• Participants must begin the Event during the official recognized start times.
• The Event has a course time limit of 6 hours and 30 minutes. The official end vehicle will start following the last starter and maintain a 15-minute per mile pace along the racecourse.
• Participants must maintain a 15-minute per mile pace (approximately) or faster and complete the full marathon distance—start line to finish line—within the Event time requirement. Participants outside of the time limit may not be recorded or published as official finishers, receive full on-course support from aid stations and traffic safety personnel, or be allowed to complete the full marathon distance.
• Participants are advised for health reasons, and to protect the safety of other competitors, not to consume alcohol while running. They must abide by all City of Chicago alcohol use rules and regulations. Event reserves the right to disqualify any runner who poses a risk to themselves or others.

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 or the performance indicated at the point of registration.
• Participants will be notified of their start corral assignments by e-mail on their Packet pick-up ticket or on the Event website: chicagomarathon.com.
• All participants are responsible for knowing their designated 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 prior to closing of their corral and the race start. Any participant attempting to enter a start corral to which they are 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, including fire and police officials, city officials or course marshals, or who conducts themselves 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 race 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 and from future participation at the discretion of Event officials.
• 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 a participant 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 Guide Runners, officially designated Support Runners, 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 officially assigned to them is subject to removal and disqualification from future Events.
• No persons are authorized to be on the race course unless they are registered participants or authorized Event staff. Therefore, no person shall be allowed to accompany a participant if they are 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 race 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, handcycle and duo team 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. Motorized devices of any kind are prohibited.
• 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’s official staff, official medical staff or any governmental authority, including fire and police officials.
• 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 or other conditions or governmental orders or directives in accordance with Emergency Protocol on severe emergencies and/or inclement weather.
• Participants should familiarize themselves with the Event Alert System (EAS) and adjust their Event plans accordingly.

Result timing

• All participants are assigned a timing device prior to the Event which is attached to their bib.
• Participants are responsible for the proper use and application of their assigned timing device. Instructions on proper use and application of the timing device are provided on the packet and the Event website.
• Clock time (gun time) is the official time for designated participants competing in the professional race (wheelchair and open divisions). 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 participants competing in the professional race (wheelchair and open divisions).
• Official times for all other participants 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, continuously 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) may not be recognized as official finishers.

Timing disqualification

• Participants found to be wearing two or more Event-issued electronic 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 will be given the opportunity to appeal unofficial finish times before the finish times are made official. Appeals must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of event day.
• Participants must begin the Event during the official recognized start time in order to register an official finish time.

Prize money and awards

• In accordance with World Athletics and USATF sanctions, participants 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 participant’s individual results, including forfeiture of all awards, points and prizes, including monetary prizes and may be required to return any such awards as may have been made.
• All finish times and placements are reviewed and deemed official before cash awards are distributed.
• Any U.S. citizen or resident alien 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-resident alien 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, a government-issued photo ID will be an acceptable proof of age.
• The top overall men and women finishers in the professional race will be determined by official clock (gun) times recorded from the start, determined by the air horn, of the first wave of the Event in which they are participating to the point where they cross the finish line.
• Age group awards, if offered, are based on one’s age on race day.
• Age group awards, if offered, are based on official net time.
• Participants may compete in the gender category with which they identify without any need for disclosure of information or other requirements. Age group participants who finish in the top five in their age group are eligible to receive awards, and in keeping with applicable USATF rules, participants who qualify for such age group awards may be required after the race to provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID to verify age and gender information, and may be required to supply additional information in keeping with USATF rules.
• Participants who qualify for prize money or other awards will be required after the race to provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID to verify age and gender information in keeping with applicable USATF rules and may be required to supply additional information in keeping with USATF rules as well as complying with IRS requirements for tax withholding and reporting.

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.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon follows, and participants are subject to, the rules specified by USATF and World Athletics. Please visit usatf.org and worldathletics.org for additional information concerning the rules mandated by the governing bodies of the sport.