Countdown to race day

SUSTAINABILITY

Zero Waste Station volunteer at the 2025 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle will continue to improve event sustainability efforts in 2026 by refining existing practices and integrating new initiatives. Incorporation of environmentally and socially responsible practices has become an important aspect of the planning, preparation and execution of the Shamrock Shuffle. We would like to thank participants, spectators, sponsors and volunteers for helping us go green!

In 2024, the event received Gold level certification from the Council for Responsible Sport, a not for profit organization which provides objective, independent verification of the socially and environmentally responsible work of sporting events. Responsible Sport certified events are some of the world’s leading examples of responsible sport in action, supporting sustainability and environmental consciousness.

View the 2024 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Sustainability Report (.pdf)

RACE WEEKEND

Packet Pick-up

Dynamic bib assignments – By assigning bib numbers at Packet Pick-up, we’ll be able to reduce the number of bibs we use by 10%. We’ve also eliminated the need for a separate envelope, saving over 500 pounds of paper from being used, which is equivalent to approximately four trees.
Participant shirts – Event participant shirts are made from 100% recycled polyester. In addition to reducing waste, recycled polyester reduces carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to virgin polyester, and helps Nike divert an average of 1 billion plastic bottles annually from landfills and waterways. Learn more about Nike’s Move to Zero journey towards zero carbon and zero waste, including how they are working to design product with sustainability in mind and help protect the future of where we live and play.
Paperless Packet Pick-up – The Packet Pick-up email can be presented on the screen of a mobile device or tablet instead of printing, saving thousands of sheets of paper from being used.
Participant bag – The participant bags are made from #4 LDPE, which is 100% recyclable through retailers offering plastic film and bag recycling – just remove the cotton drawstring beforehand. Printed with water based ink, the bags contain 25% industrial scrap and are designed to ensure durability for gear check and can be used multiple times before recycling.
Storage bins – Old coroplast signs were used to make reusable bins for participant services, giving new life to a difficult-to-recycle material.
Adaptive Program – The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle strives to provide accessibility for all athletes with impairments through offered accommodations, including Guide Runners or Support Runners, as needed at Packet Pick-up and for race day.
Sneaker collection – Upcycle or recycle your used running shoes with Sneaker Impact! Sneaker Impact’s collection boxes will be available throughout race weekend. Clean out your closet and help to reduce waste, create economic opportunities and give your used sneakers a second life! Learn more about Sneaker Impact by visiting sneakerimpact.com.
Hands-Only CPR – All participants, volunteers and event staff receive access to an instructional Hands-Only CPR video.

RACE DAY

Grant Park and Course

Kia EV lead vehicles – Kia will lead the way on race day! Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Kia retailers are proud to support the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. Kia sprints into 2026 with the redesigned 2027 Telluride while the fuel efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid models will act as the lead vehicles for the 2026 event. Kia’s vision to become a ‘Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider’ reflects the company’s approach to sustainability, which is to create sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities and global society. See the vehicles race weekend or visit your local Kia retailer. To get more information, visit kia.com. Kia. Movement that inspires.
Aluminum Culligan water bottles – The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is proud to team up with Culligan International to deliver sustainable water when it matters most. Building on our long-term partnership, runners can once again expect cleaner, safer, better-tasting water at the finish line. Our shared commitment to sustainability comes to life as we replace single-use plastic water bottles with reusable aluminum options. Participants are encouraged to reuse and refill their bottles, extending their sustainable impact beyond race day. Additionally, runners and spectators are invited to hydrate at Culligan water filtration stations designed to enhance taste and address contaminants such as lead and microplastics—creating better race-day hydration experiences for people and the planet. Culligan is also offering lightweight, collapsible silicone cups that fit easily into pockets or running belts, making it simple to sip sustainably on race day and beyond.
Zero Waste Stations – Waste disposed of in Grant Park will be deposited at one of the many Zero Waste Stations located throughout the Gear Check and Post-Race Party areas. Green Team volunteers will sort the refuse to help increase the amount of waste diverted from the landfill.
Water refill stations – Water refill stations will be available on course at Aid Station 2 and at the Post-Race Party at Buckingham Fountain on race day.
Collecting compostable material – Gatorade cups and food scraps will be collected in Grant Park for composting, as well as hydration cups from the start and course. The Urban Canopy will be taking the organic materials to a processing facility where the organic waste from the event will break down into finished compost, a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
Non-binary inclusion – In 2022, we were excited to introduce the option for participants to register as non-binary and celebrated 34 finishers in the new division. The 2025 division saw meaningful growth with more than 75 non-binary runners registered to participate.
Recyclable beer cans – All beer served at the Post-Race Party will be served in cans, an infinitely recyclable material.
No styrofoam – Styrofoam products are not allowed at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle.
Clothing donation – Remaining clothes discarded at the start line will be donated to Illinois AmVets.
Food donation – Pallets of assorted food and water will be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository post-race.
TerraCycle Candy and Snack Wrapper Collection – Through TerraCycle, we are able to give hard-to-recycle items a new life. Assorted wrappers from food items handed out at Runner Refresh should be brought to one of many Zero Waste Stations to be properly sorted. All brands of flexible plastic-based candy and snack packaging and wrappers are accepted.
Eco-friendly portable toilet facilities – Paper products at over 400 portable restrooms rented for the event are made of 100% recycled content.
Closed loop course – The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is a closed loop course, starting and finishing in Grant Park, eliminating unnecessary travel often required by point-to-point courses.
Bike valet – World Bicycle Relief will provide a free bike valet, reducing our event’s impact on traffic congestion and carbon emissions while providing a fun, easy way to get to Grant Park on race day.
Public transportation – Participants, spectators and volunteers are highly encouraged to use public transportation race weekend, such as CTA and Metra. Grant Park, the location of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle start and finish lines and Post-Race Party, is located in the heart of downtown Chicago, a central hub for public transportation.
Lactation spaces – Breastfeeding parents will have a designated place in Grant Park to pump or nurse on race day and will have access to a semi-private tented facility, a water source or a portable hand-washing station and a power source.

BEYOND RACE WEEKEND

Our volunteer community – Event production, from distributing race bibs, to marshaling the course, requires thousands of volunteers. The event could not happen without community support and volunteers.
Composting organic waste – The finished compost from the event will be donated to community gardens in the neighborhoods the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series impacts.
Charity Program – Runners can make their journey more impactful by making a donation to support the event’s official Charity Program partners.

INVESTING IN LOCAL CARBON OFFSET PROJECTS

In 2025, the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series partnered with The Land Conservancy of McHenry County to reduce the climate impact of our events from emissions we can’t avoid. The Chicago Distance Series is investing in local forest preservation through the purchase of carbon credits supporting two tree protection projects in the Chicago metropolitan area. By supporting these projects, the events will offset 25% of participant travel to the event sites, which accounts for more than 95% of emissions across the event series.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County’s Crowley Oaks Conservation Area and Thompson Road Oak Woods projects protect a combined 80 acres of mature oak and hickory forests in the Chicago region. These forests play a crucial role in absorbing carbon, improving air and water quality and preserving critical animal habitats.

PLOGGING

Join the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and environmental advocate Tina Muir for a plogging event at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 21! Plogging is a combination of the Swedish term plocka upp (to pick up) and the English word jog. Individuals who join us for the 3K/1.86-mile run/walk will learn more about plogging and how we can pair our passion for running and walking with environmental stewardship to enhance our communities. As we look for more ways to take care of the planet and the people on it, this is an easy and fun way to do our part. Learn more and sign up for this free event!

RECOGNITION

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is proud to have earned Gold level certification from the Council for Responsible Sport in 2016, for the event’s incorporation of environmentally and socially responsible practices. In 2018, the event was named a Gold Inspire event by the Council for Responsible Sport, a five-year certification. Through this program, the Shamrock Shuffle worked with events throughout the country to share best practices, as well as integrate new sustainability initiatives. In 2024, the event renewed its commitment to responsible sport and was recertified at the Gold level.