The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike. On Sunday, October 12, 2014, runners from all 50 states and more than 100 countries will set out to accomplish a personal dream by reaching the finish line in Grant Park.

Location

Grant Park, Chicago
Sunday, October 12, 2014

Information Presented By Tata Consultancy Services

Information presented by Tata Consultancy Services will be available throughout Grant Park on race day. Information tents will be available to assist participants and spectators with event information, course maps and general event inquiries as well as lost and found items.

In addition to the six Information tents, Information teams of 2 to 4 individuals will be positioned throughout Grant Park and on Michigan Avenue on race morning to assist participants and spectators with maps and viewing tips.

Start Corrals

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon features a wave start and start corral process to facilitate a more efficient and convenient race day experience for all participants. Information on the start corrals including qualifying standards and how to submit proof of qualifying will be available in May.

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 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.
• 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@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.
• All registration fees and ancillary purchases are nonrefundable.

Packet (Bib Number) Pick-Up

• Participants must pick up their own packets at the Health & Fitness Expo during regularly scheduled hours.
• 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 their appropriate bib number.
• The use of video devices, cell phones, computers, cameras 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 device is 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 Pick-Up Ticket or they may use the online registration confirmation option to ensure proper assignment once proof of the qualifying standard has been supplied. Additional qualifying information 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 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, 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 by 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 by 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 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 issued current 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, cell phones, computers, cameras 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 device 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, K, L and M 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 times and placements of finish 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 (with the exception of refunds) must submit a written request no less than 30 days prior to the event date specifying the nature of and reasons for the request.

Ammendments / 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.