KEY VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Key volunteers help fulfill critical leadership and management roles throughout race weekend. Becoming a key volunteer is a great opportunity for people looking to translate their experience, enthusiasm and passion into a high-level commitment to the event. Applicants must have previous volunteer experience with the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series or another large road-racing event.

• RESPONSIBILITIES

  Key volunteers…

  • Are enthusiastic and dedicated individuals who want to gain more experience with the Bank of America Chicago 13.1.
  • Help manage, lead and instruct groups of volunteers, often in conjunction with a team of fellow key volunteers and event staff.
  • Commit additional time to the event for pre-race meetings and race weekend set-up as needed.
  • Assist with race operations, processes and organization. Some key volunteers do not manage other groups of volunteers.
  • Have previous volunteer experience with the Bank of America Chicago 13.1, Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, Bank of America Chicago Marathon or another major racing event.
• AVAILABILITY

  Key volunteers must be available on the following dates:

  • Bank of America Chicago 13.1
    • Saturday, June 6: Garfield Park walk-through (applies to some positions)
    • Sunday, June 7: Shifts begin as early as 4 a.m. and last 6-8 hours.
• APPLICATION

  Roles
  Please see below to review descriptions of each key volunteer role.

  Volunteer policies
  In order to gain an understanding of the expectations set forth for all event volunteers, please review the volunteer policies before applying.

  Application review
  New applicants and returning applicants requesting different role assignments will receive a phone call to further discuss their interest in the event, their relevant experience and where their talents can best be utilized race weekend. All applicants will be assigned based on event needs, qualifications, experience and availability and assignments may differ from historical placement for returning key volunteers. Please note that the number of applicants often exceeds the number of key volunteer roles available.

  In order to provide assignments and training before the event, the deadline to apply as a key volunteer is Friday, May 15, 2026.

  Apply now!

  If a general volunteer role better suits your schedule, please visit the volunteer information page to view opportunities and register.

• KEY VOLUNTEER ROLES

  Bank of America Chicago 13.1 
  Sunday, June 7

  • Finish line key volunteers will work with other operations staff to manage volunteers at the finish line to ensure continuous participant flow and efficient distribution of materials. They will also assist with the set-up and clean-up of their respective stations.
  • Gear check key volunteers oversee general volunteers and operations of the gear check tent, where they will keep gear organized, volunteers on task and help with any long queuing or missing items.
  • Volunteer check-in key volunteers help manage operations and the volunteer check-in process, ensuring that general volunteers depart prepared and ready to tackle their tasks.
  • Information team key volunteers will oversee teams of volunteers in designated zones within the event’s Garfield Park site plan, where they will be responsible for answering event-related questions and directing participants and spectators to their key destinations.
  • Information tents are stationed throughout Garfield Park and staffed with a pair of key volunteers who help answer event-related questions and direct eager participants and spectators to key destinations.
  • Start line key volunteers will oversee start corral volunteers and operations, providing instructions and management throughout the morning to help keep participants organized as they advance to the start.
  • Sustainability key volunteers work with general volunteers in high traffic areas to educate participants on items that can be recycled, composted or donated. The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 takes event sustainability seriously.
  • Open to opportunities – Key volunteers who are flexible and open to roles anywhere as need demands are highly sought after and always appreciated. Individuals without preference to an area could be placed on any of the teams mentioned above.
• Resources
  • Volunteer homepage
  • Volunteer policies
  • Volunteer FAQs
  • Please direct questions to volunteer@chicago13point1.com.