Abbott Health & Fitness Expo for 2026 Chicago Marathon begins: Hours, packet pick-up, location

We ask that all Abbott Health & Fitness Expo attendees refrain from bringing large bags and/or luggage to the Health & Fitness Expo, Chicago Marathon organizers said online. Please note that all attendees will be subject to a security screening upon entering the Health & Fitness Expo. Here are the full expo details as the race approaches. When is the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo? Before race day, runners will need to pick up their participant packet, which is done at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo. Thursday, October 8 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, October 9 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 10 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Expo address and location McCormick Place North Building Level 3 Hall B1 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive Chicago, IL 60616 Organizers encourage those taking rideshares to the expo to use the McCormick Place East Building as the drop-off location. What s in the participant packets? Each packet includes: Bib number (with a tag for a post-race beer for those over 21) and safety pins MYLAPS ThinTag timing device Gear check tag Nike participant running shirt Participant bag Runners must pick up their participant packets and bags ahead of race day. What else is at the expo? According to organizers, the expo will feature more than 170 exhibitors offering merchandise and the latest in running footwear, apparel, nutrition and technology. The three-day Expo is free and open to the public. Chicago Marathon route and start time Starting and ending in Grant Park, the 26.2-mile course takes participants on a loop through parts of the city s downtown, North, West and South Sides. Chicago Marathon race day schedule 5:30 a.m.: Grant Park opens to runners and the gear check and start corrals open 7:20 a.m.: Wave 1 start corrals close and men s professional wheelchair start 7:21 a.m.: Women s professional wheelchair start 7:23 a.m.: Handcycle start 7:30 a.m.: Men s and women s professional runners start 7:32 a.m.: High performance running program start 7:35 a.m.: Wave 1 runners start 7:45 a.m.: Wave 2 start corrals close 8 a.m.: Wave 2 runners start 8:10 a.m.: Wave 3 corrals close 8:35 a.m.: Wave 3 runners start 9:30 a.m.: Grant Park opens to spectators and 27th Mile Post-Race Party starts 4 p.m.: Gear check closes and 27th Mile Post-Race Party ends Chicago Marathon 20 hours ago Street closures for the 2026 Chicago Marathon begin Thursday. Here's the full schedule Chicago Marathon 17 hours ago Can you walk the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon? What the rules say Chicago Marathon Oct 6 How to watch, stream the 2026 Chicago Marathon from start to finish