Countdown to race day

GENERAL INFORMATION

Participants during the 2025 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is one of Chicago’s best running celebrations! The Chicago tradition continues the St. Patrick’s Day celebration and kicks off the spring running season in Chicago.

Schedule of events
Participant Guide
Packet Pick-up
Post-Race Party
Transportation and parking
Official hotel
Watch live on race day
Lost and found
ASL interpretation services
Race day lactation spaces
Information tents
Virtual Bag

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, March 19

Packet Pick-up
Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park, Chicago
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 20

Packet Pick-up
Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park, Chicago
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Mile
Grant Park, Chicago

11:00 a.m. Competitive start
11:15 a.m. Recreational start

Sunday, March 21

8K Run and 2-Mile Walk
Grant Park, Chicago

8:20 a.m.           Wheelchair race start
8:30 a.m.           Wave 1 race start
9:00 a.m.           Post-Race Party begins
9:00 a.m.           Wave 2 race start
9:30 a.m.           Walk Wave race start
12:00 p.m.         Post-Race Party ends

Times and locations subject to change.

PARTICIPANT GUIDE

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Participant Guide includes all the information participants need to have a great race weekend experience. The guide will serve as a step-by-step manual to assist participants during race week, from Packet Pick-up to race morning in Grant Park and during the races themselves. Inside, you will find schedules, polices and detailed information on the weekend’s events.

View the 2026 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Participant Guide.

PACKET PICK-UP

Participant Packet Pick-up will take place on Friday, March 19, 2027 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Saturday, March 20, 2027 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) in an enclosed tent located on the south side of Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. You must attend Participant Packet Pick-up to pick up your bib number, participant bag, Nike participant shirt, festive knit hat and any pre-purchased beer tickets (if applicable). If you cannot pick up your packet, someone else can pick up your packet for you by presenting a copy of your Packet Pick-up ticket.

Shufflers 21 years or older will receive a drink ticket attached to their bib number that can be redeemed for one (1) beer on race day.* Please note that the drink ticket attached to your bib is non-transferrable.

*You must be 21 years or older with a valid ID to purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle race weekend.

POST-RACE PARTY

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Post-Race Party will be held at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park (Columbus and Ida B. Wells Drive) immediately following the 8K Run and 2-Mile Walk on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Shufflers 21 years or older will receive a drink ticket attached to their bib number that can be redeemed for one (1) beer on race day.* Please note that the drink ticket attached to your bib is non-transferrable. Additional drink tickets can be purchased during Packet Pick-up and the Post-Race Party.

*You must be 21 years or older with a valid ID to purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages at the Post-Race Party.

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

Millennium Garages

Millennium Garages offer the closest parking options to Grant Park. A discounted parking rate will be available to Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle attendees throughout race weekend.

Parking passes purchased online in advance of your arrival will work at all four Millennium Garages: Grant Park North, Grant Park South, Millennium Park and Lakeside. If you plan to drive, we encourage you to purchase your parking pass in advance.

For more information, visit millenniumgarages.com.

Public transportation

Public transportation is strongly recommended for race day transportation to Grant Park. Go to metra.com or transitchicago.com to plan your route by train or bus. If you drive, allow sufficient time for traffic congestion and street closures in the downtown area due to the race.

Metra

Metra trains are a great way to travel downtown race weekend. Participants and spectators are encouraged to take advantage of Metra’s $7 Saturday/Sunday passes good for unlimited rides on either Saturday or Sunday, or Metra’s $10 Weekend Pass (available in the Ventra app only) for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday. Ventra App users can also upgrade the Metra Day Pass or Saturday or Sunday Pass to the Regional Day Pass for unlimited rides on CTA and Pace for 24 hours for an additional $2.50 (requires registered Ventra card). For more information on Metra service, visit metra.com or call 312.322.6777.

Take CTA race day

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is the most economical and convenient way to get to Grant Park on race day. Check out CTA’s transit tips below and visit transitchicago.com for more information.

CTA Transit directions to Grant Park
From Downtown Chicago

From the Adams/Wabash station on the Green, Orange, Pink and Brown elevated lines, walk one block south to Jackson Blvd. then one block east on Jackson Blvd. to enter the event at Michigan Ave. From the Red and Blue Line subways, exit at the accessible Jackson station and walk three blocks east on Jackson Blvd. to enter the event at Jackson Blvd.

From Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station

Transportation to and from Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station may change on race day due to event street closures. We encourage you to visit transitchicago.com/alerts for the latest information on bus re-routes and service information.

CTA encourages you to purchase your fares in advance to avoid lines race weekend. Visit ventrachicago.com for fare information and to purchase fares in advance.

Divvy

Explore Divvy Bikes – Chicago’s premier bike and scooter share system. Rent a bike or scooter conveniently from various docking stations across Chicago.

OFFICIAL HOTEL

The Hilton Chicago is the official hotel of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. Located across the street from Grant Park at 720 South Michigan Avenue, the Hilton Chicago is steps away from the start and finish lines and is a hub of activity on race weekend.

WATCH LIVE ON RACE DAY

Watch the finish line livestream on nbcchicago.com and telemundochicago.com on race morning from 8 to 11 a.m.

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and found items will be collected throughout race weekend at Packet Pick-up and in Grant Park on race day. Following the event, items can be reclaimed through our Lost and Found platform, available at shamrockshuffle.com/lostandfound. Items reclaimed post-event may be shipped to individuals for a shipping fee.

ASL INTERPRETATION SERVICES

American Sign Language services will be available in Grant Park race weekend to assist deaf and hard of hearing participants. Interpreters will be available at Packet Pick-up and on race day. More information on interpreter hours and locations will be available in advance of race day.

RACE DAY LACTATION SPACES

Private and semi-private lactation spaces are available to participants on race day. Participants interested in using the spaces will have access to a private seating area (chair and table) or semi-private tented facility, a water source or a portable hand-washing station and a power source. Spaces will be available in the following locations:

Pre-race: Private and semi-private space at the Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan Avenue) and at Buckingham Fountain (adjacent to the Buckingham Fountain Information Tent).

Post-race: Semi-private tented facility at Buckingham Fountain (adjacent to the Buckingham Fountain Information Tent).

Please note, the semi-private tented facility on Buckingham Fountain is available to spectators.

Participants interested in using the pre-race space at the Hilton Chicago are asked to email office@shamrockshuffle.com for instructions on how to access the space. Individuals interested in using the facility on the Buckingham Fountain deck are not required to book the space. All facilities will be first come, first served. Staff will be onsite at each location to assist those interested in using the space(s). Please note, the event will not store or transport equipment.

Additional questions about lactation spaces can be directed to the office@shamrockshuffle.com email in advance of the event.

INFORMATION TENTS

Have questions on race day? Visit one of the three Information Tents on site. Volunteers are there to help you find your way, answer race day questions and enjoy the race.

VIRTUAL BAG

Visit the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Virtual Bag for access to exclusive offers and promotions from event sponsors and partners. We hope you are able to take advantage of these offerings leading up to and during race weekend.