The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications along with other city departments, agencies and Bank of America Chicago 13.1 organizers are reminding the public about the first every half marathon on Chicago’s West Side on Sunday June 5 beginning at 7 a.m. Thousands of runners are expected to take part in this unique racing experience through the historic parks and boulevards of Chicago’s West Side.

"The City of Chicago has been working with race organizers and our law enforcement partners in the planning and execution of the historic half marathon on the city’s west side for the first time, in an effort to minimize impacts while making it a safe event for race participants, residents and visitors,” said Rich Guidice, Executive Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). “As always, public safety is our number one priority, and we want to remind the public to report any suspicious or criminal activity by calling 9-1-1.”

Street Closures and No Park Zones

The 13.1-mile course will start and finish in Garfield Park, the oldest park on the West Side, and travel through Humboldt and Douglass Parks while traversing the neighborhoods that line the boulevards connecting all three parks. For complete details on street closures, visit chicago13point1.com/streetclosures

No Parking Zones along the course will be enforced beginning at 1 a.m. on Sunday, June 5. Street closures along the route will occur between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. City streets will re-open promptly as the final runners pass through (at a 15-minute mile pace). As runners pass points along the route, streets will reopen to allow traffic to return to normal as quickly as possible. Residents and spectators should not attempt to block the racecourse at any time.

Race Day Parking

Parking is limited near the start and finish lines in Garfield Park. Parking will be available for free from the United Center, Parking Lot C starting at 5 a.m. through 2 p.m. on race day. A shuttle service from the United Center to Garfield Park will operate every 15 to 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. The first shuttle is anticipated to leave the United Center around 5 a.m., and the final shuttle will leave Garfield Park at 1:45 p.m. For additional details on how to get to the parking lot and maps, visit unitedcenter.com. A bike corral near gear check will be available in Garfield Park for bike parking. Participants interested in biking to the event will need to supply their own locks.

Public Transportation

As always, public transportation is encouraged if heading to the Chicago 13.1 Half Marathon or other destinations in the impacted areas. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit TransitChicago.com or call 836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR-CTA.

The first running of Chicago 13.1 will include The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 Race Day Festival will be held in conjunction with the inaugural race for event participants and community members. The free outdoor celebration, located in Garfield Park, will kick off at 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 5 and feature a mix of entertainment, health and wellness activities and community activations.

If You See Something, Say Something

OEMC wants to remind the public to be aware of their surroundings report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

Emergency, Traffic and Weather Notifications

OEMC will continue to monitor the event in collaboration with public safety partners and the Chicago Police Department will enforce race day restrictions along the route as well as facilitate traffic. OEMC will issue any alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.  Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notices, issues affecting businesses or COVID-19 updates:

• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3
• COVID: Get COVID-19 updates by TEXTING “COVID19” to 6-7-2-8-3

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).

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