Chicago Marathon Expo Opens Oct. 8 With Free Admission and Runner Packet Pickup

Runners preparing for the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon can collect their race materials at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo from Thursday, Oct. 8, through Saturday, Oct. 10. Admission is free, and the event welcomes the public as well as registered participants, giving Chicago residents a way to take part in marathon weekend without running the race.

The expo takes place in Hall B1 on Level 3 of McCormick Place’s North Building, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive. Thursday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers recommend that visitors arriving by rideshare select the McCormick Place East Building as their drop-off point.

Participants must collect their packets and bags before race day. Race materials include a bib number and safety pins, a MYLAPS ThinTag timing device, a gear-check tag, a Nike participant running shirt and a participant bag. The bib also includes a post-race beer tag for participants older than 21. For runners, the expo is an essential stop in getting ready for the starting line.

Beyond pickup, more than 170 exhibitors will feature running shoes, clothing, nutrition products, technology and other merchandise. The free public admission makes the expo accessible to friends, family members and residents interested in the sport. Organizers ask visitors not to bring large bags or luggage, and everyone entering will go through security screening.

The marathon’s 26.2-mile route begins and ends in Grant Park, passing through downtown and portions of the North, West and South Sides. On race morning, Grant Park, gear check and start corrals open to runners at 5:30 a.m. Wave 1 corrals close at 7:20 a.m., followed by the Wave 2 cutoff at 7:45 a.m. and the Wave 3 cutoff at 8:10 a.m.

The men’s professional wheelchair race starts at 7:20 a.m., followed by the women’s professional wheelchair race at 7:21 a.m. and handcycles at 7:23 a.m. Professional runners start at 7:30 a.m., with the high performance running program following at 7:32 a.m. The three participant waves begin at 7:35 a.m., 8 a.m. and 8:35 a.m., respectively.

For family and friends planning to meet runners afterward, Grant Park opens to spectators at 9:30 a.m., when the 27th Mile Post-Race Party also begins. The party ends at 4 p.m., which is also the closing time for gear check. Keeping the expo hours, corral deadlines and post-race schedule together can help participants and their supporters coordinate the weekend.