The second annual Bank of America Chicago 13.1 will take place in Garfield Park on June 4. This half marathon offers runners a unique experience while encouraging people to get out of the Loop. It also gives runners a chance to explore the neighborhoods of Chicago’s West Side.
Garfield Park
Bank of America’s half marathon course will take participants through the historic parks and boulevards of the West Side. It will start and finish in Garfield Park — originally called Central Park.
William LeBaron Jenney designed the park. It was first opened in 1874. In 1881, the park’s name was changed after the assassination of President James Garfield.
Bank of America Chicago 13.1
On Friday, June 2, the Packet Pickup will begin. Participants can receive their packets at Roosevelt Collection at 150 West Roosevelt Road in Chicago. These packets will also be available at the same location on June 3.
Race Day will be held the following day in Garfield Park. Gear check will open at 5:30 a.m. They will also open the start corrals at that time. The wheelchair start will be at 6:50 a.m. with the race starting 10 minutes later.
At 8 a.m., Bank of America’s Race Day Festival will begin. Tickets for beverages will close at 11:15, with the service itself ending at 11:30 a.m. The festival will end 30 minutes later. Bank of America Chicago 13.1’s website mentions that times are subject to change.
Bank of America Chicago 13.1 Pace Team
For those looking to run in a group, the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 pace team will be offering company to runners with the following finish times:
- 1:30.
- 1:40.
- 1:50.
- 2:00.
- 2:15.
- 2:30.
- 2:45.
- And 3:00.
The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 pace team is there to offer support to anyone looking to run their personal best. Pacers are marathon and half marathon veterans who will encourage runners throughout the race.
Wellness Walk and RunJumpThrow Clinic
This year the Bank of America is adding a Wellness Walk and RunJumpThrow Clinic. They will hold it on June 3 in Garfield Park. They are “working with West Side residents to introduce wellness-based activities to the race weekend experience.”
Additionally, “events include a 1.31-Mile Wellness Walk and a free track and field clinic presented in partnership with USA Track & Field (USATF),” stated Mary Beth Johnson. Community Engagement Manager for Bank of America Chicago 13.1.
Participants will be able to pick up the Wellness Walk Packet at 8:30 a.m. in Garfield Park. This packet differs from the one needed for the Bank of America Chicago 13.1. At that time, the Wellness Walk gear check will open.
The Wellness walk will start at 10 a.m. “All walkers will receive a unique bib number for this untimed event and a reusable water bottle for participating,” states the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 website.
Bank of America’s Wellness Walk Participants
The Wellness Walk is open to all individuals 6 years of age and older. There is a $10 entry fee per person participating. All proceeds will go to the Garfield Park Advisory Council (Garfield PAC).
Participants 6 years of age to 17 will need to have parental or legal guardian permission. This will be given during the application.
USA Track & Field’s RunJumpThrow
Immediately after the walk will be the RunJumpThrow clinic. Youth between the ages of 7 to 14 will be able to partake in the USA Track & Field’s free RunJumpThrow clinic. Moreover, RunJumpThrow is a hands-on learning program to get youth excited about physical activity. USATF developed it in partnership with Hershey.
It will feature a selection of learning stations, including dynamic warm-up, running form and technique, standing broad jump, softball throw, and one-legged hop. RunJumpThrow is a non-competitive program that is easily adapted for children. They estimate it will last around two hours. Participants will rotate through stations in small groups based on their age.
Last Year’s Bank of America Chicago 13.1
Last year, roughly 5,000 runners signed up to participate in the Bank of America Chicago 13.1. Three-time Bank of America Chicago Marathon Champion Daniel Romanchuk and former Olympian Diane Nukuri were two people who helped lead the way through the course.
Bank of America Chicago President Rita Cook stated, “We don’t always see runs happen on the West Side or the South Side. So to be able to bring a race to the West Side of Chicago to complement what we do downtown is really amazing.”
This is something that the Bank of America is happy to do again this year. Johnson said that Bank of America wants to work closely with the residents to ensure that everyone has a good time during these events. Furthermore, they want the community to know that they are there, not just for banking needs. This is why they host this kind of event. In addition, they also help ensure other events have what they need. For example, they will set up tables and offer community members beverages, or they will help sponsor if they have enough notice to do so.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Interview: Mary Beth Johnson April 2023
Bank of America Chicago 13.1: Runner information
Bank of America Chicago 13.1: Saturday wellness events
WTTW: Neighborhood Spotlight: Garfield Park Conservatory
Images Courtesy of Justin Conner TNS Staff
