VOLUNTEER GROUP LEADERS

We can’t wait for your volunteer group to join us at the fifth annual Bank of America Chicago 13.1. This event will come alive with the support of hundreds of individual volunteers and volunteer groups, coordinated by committed and enthusiastic group leaders like you.

The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 will take place on Sunday, June 7. The course will weave through the historic parks and boulevards of the West Side, starting and finishing in Garfield Park.

• GROUP LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Communicate clearly with your group about the specifics of the volunteer role.
  • Recruit a minimum of 10 volunteers for your volunteer group. Please note, non-profit groups, clubs or organizations that check in 20 or more volunteers on race day or at Packet Pick-up and meet event qualifications are eligible for a modest donation.
  • The age minimum for group volunteers is 14 years of age. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 volunteers under the age of 18 to ensure sufficient supervision. Chaperones must, without exception, be 21 years of age or older, and they must register online with their group. The event has the right to set different age minimums for designated positions.
  • Monitor individual registration of your volunteer group members.
  • Group leaders are expected to register the number of volunteers committed in their group leader application.
  • Stay until the assignment is complete and your volunteer group has fulfilled their role honestly. If you cannot commit to the full shift time, please contact the Volunteer Team to look into different volunteer opportunities.
• GROUP LEADER APPLICATION

  Please review the steps below on how to complete the group leader application:

  Step 1: Review the volunteer policies.

  Step 2: Complete the group leader application. Follow the link below and search for ‘group leader application’ to apply. See below for more information on the process.

  Apply now!

  • Be sure to include any time restrictions your group may have within the application so the Volunteer Team can place your group accordingly. If you cannot commit to the full shift time assigned to you, please contact the Volunteer Team as soon as possible.
  • Select your group’s assignment preference from the list below. Please note that assignments are filled on a first come, first served basis. If the assignment you receive is different from your indicated preference, your preference has been filled.
  • Within the group leader application, indicate your group’s size. You must have at least 10 volunteers to form a group. Please note, non-profit groups, clubs or organizations that check in 20 or more volunteers on race day or at Packet Pick-up and meet event qualifications are eligible for a modest donation starting at $300.

  Step 3: Wait approximately one week to receive your group assignment via email. This will include registration instructions for your group. When you receive your group assignment, reply to the email so the Volunteer Team knows you received your assignment.

  Step 4: Share your registration instructions with your group members! Group leaders do not need to follow these instructions as they are already in the system from completing the group leader application. Please inform the Volunteer Team as soon as possible if your estimated group size changes. The Volunteer Team assigns your group based off of the number of volunteers shared in your application, so it’s important to know if this changes.

  Step 5: The group registration instructions will be valid until all of the requested slots are filled or until the registration deadline on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time, whichever occurs first.

  Please note interested medical volunteer groups should apply at www.chicago13point1.com/get-involved/volunteer/medical-volunteers.

• VOLUNTEER GROUP ASSIGNMENTS

  Within the group leader application, you can select your group’s assignment preference from the following options. Please note, each group will be assigned according to past experience and event needs, and assignments are filled on a first-come first-served basis. Some groups may be divided or reassigned as needed.

  West Side Wellness Walk  
  Saturday, June 6

  The West Side Wellness Walk aims to support, advance and celebrate health, wellness and movement on Chicago’s West Side. Volunteer tasks include race day bib pick-up, course marshal, start line and finish line. Volunteers will support the Youth Events in Garfield Park after the West Side Wellness Walk.

  Bank of America Chicago 13.1
  Sunday, June 7

  Course 

  • Aid station: Volunteers will distribute water and Nuun Hydration to half marathon participants, as well as assist with the setup and cleanup of the aid station.
  • Course marshal: Course marshal responsibilities include making sure the course stays clear of traffic and vehicles, ensuring the safety of participants and spectators, and acting as a source of information about the event and surrounding neighborhood. Course marshal volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and should be able to stand for 4 or more hours.

  Garfield Park 

  • Start line: Join the excitement at the start line by regulating access to the start corrals and assisting with the forward progress of participants through the corrals.
  • Finish line: Volunteers will help control traffic flow throughout the finish line area. They will be spread out throughout the area and continually encourage runners to keep moving.
  • Gear check: Ensure race participants have an excellent experience before and after the race by collecting and organizing gear check bags from participants before the race and returning them afterward.
  • Sustainability: Help us make a difference beyond race day! Sustainability volunteers assist race participants and spectators to correctly recycle and compost specific products distributed by the event such as water bottles, Nuun Hydration cups, banana peels and food.
  • Open to opportunities: Volunteers who are flexible and open to roles anywhere are highly sought after and always appreciated. Groups without preference to an area could be placed on any of the teams mentioned above.
• VOLUNTEER GROUP DONATIONS

  We understand the time and effort involved in coordinating a group of volunteers. We would like to recognize qualifying groups with a modest donation. More information and required forms will be available after the event.

  Qualifications

  • The group must be a non-profit group, club or organization.
  • The group must be able to present a W-9 completed for the organization or fiscal agent with a tax identification number.
  • Group must check in 20 or more volunteers on race day and/or at Packet Pick-up.
    • Please note that medical volunteer groups must check in 10 or more volunteers on race day and/or at Packet Pick-up.

  Paperwork must be submitted by the established deadline. After the event, the Volunteer Team will contact all group leaders with qualification status, required paperwork and the established deadline. Group donations start at $300 and go up from there based on the group size. Groups can also earn donation bonuses if they meet the following criteria:

  • $75 bonus to qualifying groups that participate in shifts that begin prior to 5 a.m.
  • $100 bonus to qualifying groups that participate in more than one event during race weekend (i.e., Expo/Packet-Pick-up and race day).
  • $150 bonus to qualifying groups that participate in a shift over 6 hours long
  • $200 bonus to qualifying groups that participate at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in addition to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Please note the bonus will be included in Bank of America Chicago Marathon donations.
  • $200 bonus to qualifying groups that participate at the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 in addition to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Please note the bonus will be included in Bank of America Chicago Marathon donations.
• RESOURCES
  • Volunteer homepage
  • Volunteer policies
  • Volunteer FAQs
  • Please direct questions to volunteer@chicago13point1.com.