The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 is set to take over the West Side on Sunday, June 7, bringing thousands of runners into Garfield Park for a half-marathon and a free Race Day Festival. The closed-loop course winds through Garfield, Douglass, and Humboldt parks, turning normally quiet boulevards into a busy Sunday morning of cheering crowds, live programming, and temporary street shutdowns.
Weekend schedule: when everything kicks off
Race weekend starts with Packet Pick-up on Friday and Saturday, and a West Side Wellness Fest on Saturday. On Sunday, gear check opens at 5:30 a.m., start corrals open at 6:00 a.m., the wheelchair division begins at 6:50 a.m., and the open division takes off at 7:00 a.m. Runners have to hold at least a 15-minute-per-mile pace to make the three-hour-and-15-minute event cutoff, according to Bank of America Chicago 13.1.
Packet pick-up, festival details, and how to watch
Packet Pick-up for half-marathon participants is at the Roosevelt Collection (150 W. Roosevelt Road), with Friday hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A limited race-day packet pick-up option is available only for those who purchased it in advance. The Race Day Festival in Garfield Park opens at 8:00 a.m., with entertainment, wellness activations, and vendor booths on deck for runners, families, and neighbors. NBC Chicago will stream a live feed of the start and finish lines and has a full rundown of the weekend schedule, according to NBC Chicago.
Road closures and how neighbors can get around
Expect early morning lane closures across the West Side. Streets around Garfield, Douglass, and Humboldt parks will see planned closures in the days leading up to the race, with most race-day blocks shut from the early hours into late Sunday morning. The Independence Boulevard exit from I-290 is scheduled to close between about 5:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and towing of vehicles left on the course is set to begin at 1:00 a.m., so residents will want to move cars off the route overnight. Organizers publish a street-by-street closure map and alternate-route guidance on the official event site, per Bank of America Chicago 13.1.
Volunteers, charity entries, and last-minute tips
Volunteers are still being accepted for a variety of race-day roles, and while general registration for the half-marathon is sold out, charity entries are still an option for runners who want a guaranteed spot. The course features multiple aid stations and medical support, and the free festival in Garfield Park should keep things lively for families and spectators after runners cross the line. If you are driving through the area on Sunday morning, give yourself extra time or use transit alternatives to steer clear of the closures, NBC Chicago reports.
For finish-line logistics and any last-minute updates, keep an eye on official race communications in the days leading up to the event and follow organizers for onsite changes. Good luck to everyone lining up in Garfield Park, and expect the West Side to be loud and proud on race morning.
