Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on the links below for Frequently Asked Questions regarding the following topics:
Registration
Team Competition
Weather
Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pick-Up
The Race Course
Wave Start and Seeded Start Corrals
Start and Finish Area
Gear Check
Timing and Results
Post-Race Party
Registration
When is the 2010 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and when does registration open?
The 2010 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle will be held Sunday, March 21. Race Registration opens January 1, 2010.
How many participants run the Shamrock Shuffle?
36,000
When will registration close?
Registration will close when the 36,000-participant capacity is reached.
If or when registration is close, can I sign up for a waiting list in the event that a registered participant opts not to run?
No, there is not a waiting list for the Shamrock Shuffle.
I am injured and/or cannot take part in the event. Can I get a refund, donate my entry, transfer my entry to someone else or defer it to 2011?
No. Per our official event rules and guidelines: Sale and/or transfer of race entry/bibs is strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future events. All entry fees are non-refundable, and may not be deferred toward a future event.
How can I confirm my registration after I mail in my registration form or sign up online?
You can confirm your entry via our online confirmation page. We will also send all registered participants a Confirmation E-mail prior to race day.
How can I make a change of information to my registration (i.e. misspelling, address, e-mail, t-shirt size)?
E-mail office@shamrockshuffle.com with “Change of Information” in the subject line or call the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle office at 312.904.9814 and a member of our staff will assist you.
I was sure that I registered, but my name is not showing up online and registration is now closed. What can I do?
All participant applications received are current. If you tried to register online, but your credit card was not charged the registration fee, then your transaction was not successful. If you submitted your registration application through the mail, please review your check or credit card statement to verify acceptance. Notify our office immediately if a payment was accepted, but your name does not appear on our confirmation page.
Is the Shamrock Shuffle walker-friendly?
Yes, however all participants must complete the course in the event time requirement (1 hour 15 minutes)
Team Competition
Do you have a team competition?
Yes. The Team Competition is free and open to all registered participants. Click here for details.
Can we register together as a team, or do we have to register individually first?
All participants must register individually. Once all participants have registered, they will have the opportunity to form a team and register their team members and team name with our office.
How many people can compete on one team?
All teams must have a minimum of four members but no more than 10 members to be eligible for the Team Competition.
How can I register my team?
Guidelines on the Team Competition and information regarding registration, including downloadable registration forms, will be available in late January on our Web site.
Can we make changes to our team roster after we have registered?
Yes. Participants have until Wednesday, March 17 to make changes to their team roster.
For more information about the Team Competition, e-mail teams@shamrockshuffle.com.
Weather
What is the weather historically like on March 21?
Normal High Temperature: 49° F
Normal Low Temperature: 32° F
What is the Event Alert System (EAS)?
The Event Alert System (EAS) is a color-coded system that communicates the status of course conditions to participants leading up to and on race day. The levels range from Low (green) to Moderate (yellow) to High (red) to Extreme (black) based on a variety of factors, primarily weather conditions.
Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pick-Up
Where and when is the Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pick-Up?
The Health & Fitness Expo will be held at Chicago's Navy Pier, Exposition Hall A. Navy Pier is located off the lakefront running/bike path and Lake Shore Drive, and is easily accessible via public transportation. Click here for more information on the Health & Fitness Expo.
Health & Fitness Expo Dates and Times:
Friday, March 19, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 20, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Do I have to pick up my Nike technical T-shirt and Participant Bag at the Expo?
Yes. All participants must pick up their official race Bib Number, Timing Chip, Nike technical T-shirt and Participant Bag at the Health & Fitness Expo. We do not mail out participant packets. No exceptions.
Can I pick up my Participant Packet on the day of the race?
No. All Participant Packets must be picked up prior to race day at the Health & Fitness Expo.
What do I need to bring with me in order to pick up my packet?
You need to bring your Confirmation E-mail (although not required, it is always a good idea to bring your Photo ID with you).
When should I receive the official Confirmation E-mail?
Early March.
Why didn’t I receive the Confirmation E-mail?
Did you recently change your e-mail address or register with your work or personal address? If you did not receive your Confirmation E-mail, check your Spam and Junk inboxes, and make sure that your e-mail is able to receive messages from “Active.com” and “ShamrockShuffle.com.”
What should I do if I never received the Confirmation E-mail or Ticket?
If you did not receive your Confirmation Ticket or Confirmation E-mail, go to the Participant Services booth at the Health & Fitness Expo and a staff member will print out a new Confirmation Ticket for you.
If I do not receive the Confirmation E-mail, can you resend it to me?
No, we cannot resend E-mails once they have already been sent.
Can a friend pick up my packet for me if I cannot make it to Health & Fitness Expo?
Yes. Your friend can pick up your packet. All your friend needs in order to release your Participant Packet is your Confirmation Ticket or E-mail.
Can I exchange my shirt for a smaller/larger size at the Health & Fitness Expo?
No. Participants will receive the shirt size they selected at the time of race registration.
I cannot run the race. Will you mail my Participant Bag and T-shirt to me?
No. We are unable to mail out Participant Packets if they are not picked up. No exceptions.
If I offer to pay postage for my Participant Bag and T-shirt, will you mail it to me?
No. We are unable to mail out participant packets if they are not picked up. No exceptions.
The Race Course
Where can I find a course map?
A detailed 2010 course map will be available soon.
What streets will be affected by course closures on race day?
Check back soon for more details regarding street closures.
How many Aid Stations are on the course?
There are two course Aid Stations, located at approximately miles 2 and 4.
What flavor Gatorade do you offer on the course?
Lemon-Lime Gatorade Endurance Formula.
How long is the course open?
Participants have 1 hour, 15 minutes to complete the 8K distance, start line to finish line. At the 1 hour, 15 minute mark, the event is officially concluded and there will be no traffic protection and Aid Stations will cease operation. Participant chip or net times greater than the event time requirement (1 hour, 15 minutes) will not be recognized as official.
Can I run with an iPod/headphones?
Yes. USA Track & Field amended the ban on headphones, iPods, etc., for general race participants. However, athletes competing in the Elite Club Competition for prize money may not use electronic devices such as headphones.
What is NOT allowed on the course?
Dogs, baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles or any other wheeled devices are not allowed on the race course.
Do you have a Lost & Found in case I lose something at the Health & Fitness Expo or on the Race Course?
Yes. If you are missing a personal item from the Expo or Race Course, please call our office at 312.904.9814 or e-mail us at office@shamrockshuffle.com with “Lost & Found” in the subject line.
Do you offer Pace Teams for the 8K race?
No, we do not offer pace teams.
Wave Start and Seeded Start Corrals
What is a Wave Start?
The Wave Start separates participants into two groups, Wave 1 and Wave 2. Wave 1 will start at 9 a.m., and Wave 2 will start approximately 25 minutes after Wave 1, or as soon as Wave 1 has cleared the start area and runners have been safely moved up to and settled at the start line.
The Wave Start helps make the race a safer and more enjoyable experience for participants, spectators and volunteers by decreasing the density of runner traffic from start to finish. As a result, the Wave Start and Start Corrals ensure that each runner has the best opportunity for a quick, smooth and safe start, and ample room to run once out on the race course.
What is difference between Wave 1 and Wave 2?
Runners in Wave 1 have qualified for Seeded Start Corrals A, B and C. Runners in Wave 2 have either qualified for Seeded Start Corral D or have been automatically assigned to the Open Start Corral.
Will placement in Wave 2 affect my overall finish time and place?
No. Finish places will be determined by each participant’s “net” time. In other words, times will be recorded for each individual runner upon crossing the start line, thereby activating the participant’s timing device, regardless of Corral or Wave assignment (only participants seeded in the Elite Corral will be placed by gun time).
Can I switch from one Start Corral to another?
Participants can move backward, but not forward through the Start Corrals. For example, a runner in Corral A can move back to Corral C, but a runner in Corral C cannot move up to Corral A). Start Corral assignments will be strictly enforced.
My friends have been placed into a different Seeded Start Corral. Can we run together?
Runners in “faster” Start Corrals can move backward to “slower” Start Corrals (e.g. a runner in Corral A can move back to Corral C, but a runner in Corral C cannot move up to Corral A). Members of groups or friends who would like to run together, but not all members qualified for a Wave 1 start, can start together in the Open Start Corral in Wave 2.
I have been automatically assigned to a Seeded Start Corral. How did this happen?
Some participants are automatically assigned to a Seeded Start Corral by virtue of their qualifying performance at the 2008 or 2009 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. Other participants are automatically assigned to a Seeded Start Corral by virtue of running a qualifying time in one of several 2009 Chicago-area races that were compiled into our race result database.
If you were automatically assigned to a Seeded Start Corral but qualify for a "faster" corral, you can be moved up by submitting a "faster" qualifying performance prior to the deadline. If you were automatically assigned to a Seeded Start Corral but do not wish to start to that corral, you can move backward to a "slower" Seeded Start Corral or to the Open Corral, however you cannot move up to a "faster" corral without providing proof of performance.
Start and Finish Area
What time does the race start?
Wave 1 will start at precisely 9 a.m., followed by Wave 2 at 9:25 a.m., or after Wave 1 has cleared the start area and the second flight of runners has been safely moved up and settled at the start line. The Wave Start and Start Corrals ensure that each runner has the best opportunity for a quick, smooth and safe start, and ample room to run once out on the course.
Where is the start line located?
The Start is located at Columbus Dr. and Monroe St.
How do I get to the start?
Public transportation is highly recommended for race day transportation to Grant Park. Visit transitchicago.com or metrarail.com to plan your route.
If I am driving to the start, where can I park my car?
The most convenient race day parking is available at the following Grant Park lots:
East Monroe / Millennium Park: Take Randolph St. to Columbus Dr.; turn right or left (southbound) for garage access.
Grant Park North: Entrances are located on Michigan Ave. at Monroe St., Washington Blvd. and Randolph St.
Grant Park South: Entrances are located on Michigan Ave. at Van Buren St. and Adams St.
What time should I get to the start?
Gear Check opens at 7:15 a.m., and participants must be in their Start Corrals 15 minutes before the race starts. We encourage all participants to give themselves sufficient time to get to the start, check their gear and access their Wave and Start Corral area.
Are food and beverages available at the end of the race?
Yes. There is a Runner Refreshment Area at the finish line that will provide participants with post-race food and beverages.
Where can I see my results?
Complete race results will be posted online at shamrockshuffle.com and e-mailed to all participants via the e-mail address provided at the time of race registration. Any questions regarding results should be sent via e-mail to results@shamrockshuffle.com or discussed via phone at 312.904.9814.
Gear Check
What type of Gear Check bag can I check?
You are allowed to check a bag of your own choice, but please note that we will not handle any oversized luggage or paper bags. To check gear, fasten the gear check tag from your participant bib/race number to your bag with the plastic fastener provided in your Participant Packet. Gear Check aisles will be marked according to your bib number.
When does Gear Check open?
Gear Check opens at 7:15 a.m.
Can I check more than 1 bag?
No. Participants can only check one bag.
Can I put my wallet, jewelry and other valuable items in my Gear Check bag?
Please do not check any valuables. The Shamrock Shuffle is not responsible for any lost or stolen articles.
Timing and Results
How do I receive a timing device?
All participants will receive a timing device in their Participant Packet. Participants will pick up their Participant Packets prior to race day at the Bank of America Health & Fitness Expo.
Do I have to run with a timing device?
Participants must wear their assigned timing device continuously attached to their shoe from start line to finish line, to receive an accurate finish time.
How do I make sure that I have the correct timing device?
Participants can check their timing device at the Health & Fitness Expo. Any problems with a timing device must be addressed at the Help Desk at the time of Packet Pick-Up.
Are awards based on gun time or net time?
Awards for the Elite Club Competition and for the top 3 overall male and female winners are based on gun time. Age group awards are based on net time. Athletes competing for prize money in the Elite Club Competition are exempt from age group awards.
Clock time (gun time) is the official time for professional athletes, athletes in the Elite Club Competition, the Elite Corral and the top 3 overall male and female finishers. The official gun time for these participants is recorded from the start of Wave 1 by the air horn to the point where each participant crosses the finish line. All other times will be based on net time.
If there is a problem with my time, who should I contact?
If there is an issue with your result, please call 312.904.9814 or e-mail results@shamrockshuffle.com.
Post-Race Party
Is there a Post-Race Party following the Shamrock Shuffle?
Yes. The Post-Race Party follows the conclusion of the run and walk in Grant Park, and features live music, food and beverages. The Post-Race Party is free and open to the public.