Downtown Chicago will trade traffic for sneakers on Sunday morning as the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle sends thousands of runners and walkers through the Loop. Wheelchair athletes roll off at 8:20 a.m., Wave 1 of the 8K hits the course at 8:30 a.m., and Wave 2 follows at 9 a.m., with everyone funneled back to Grant Park for a post-race celebration.
Where to watch
NBC Chicago will stream the race live starting at 8:20 a.m., then pivot to finish-line coverage around 8:45 a.m. and keep that feed going through 11 a.m., according to NBC Chicago. The station also notes that Telemundo Chicago will provide Spanish-language streaming on its website and app. If you are tracking a friend or family member, the finish-line stream is the simplest way to catch their big moment.
Start times, waves, and registration
Race organizers split the 8K Run into two waves, with start corrals assigned based on expected pace: Wave 1 begins at 8:30 a.m. and Wave 2 at 9 a.m., while the 2-Mile Walk usually heads out later, per the Shamrock Shuffle. The event site notes that registration has already reached capacity and that packet pick-up is set for Buckingham Fountain on the Friday and Saturday before race day.
Road closures and traffic
City officials caution that key downtown routes, including Columbus Drive, Grand Avenue, State Street, and Wacker Drive, will be off-limits to cars during the race. NBC Chicago directs viewers to a full closure list on the event site. Drivers can expect rerouted buses, limited access to some garages, and heavy foot traffic across the Loop for most of the morning.
Getting there and race-day tips
The Shamrock Shuffle website flags that no-parking zones along the course kick in at 1 a.m., and that rolling street closures generally run from about 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with Grant Park staying closed longer to host the post-race party. Organizers suggest using the CTA service to reach Grant Park, note that certain parking garages will have restricted access during the event, and remind participants about packet pick-up and the post-race festivities at Buckingham Fountain. Full logistics are laid out on the event site at the Shamrock Shuffle.
A quick history
The Shamrock Shuffle has long served as Chicago’s unofficial kickoff to spring running season, and a Bank of America press release reported more than 26,500 finishers at the 2025 edition, with the 2026 race keeping the tradition going in Grant Park. That kind of turnout is one reason registration fills quickly and why race organizers and city agencies coordinate such a tightly scripted traffic and safety plan every year.
