Bank Of America Half Marathon Draws Thousands To Downtown
The 2026 Bank of America Chicago 13.1 half marathon is set to run this weekend on the city’s West Side, bringing runners and spectators into Douglass Park, Garfield Park and Humboldt Park as Chicago implements a slate of street closures tied to the event.
The race, commonly referred to as the Bank of America 13.1, takes place in and around the three parks, with impacts expected along nearby streets and routes used for the course. ABC7 Chicago and NBC 5 Chicago published detailed notices ahead of the weekend outlining closures affecting the West Side, along with guidance for residents and drivers navigating the area.
NBC 5 Chicago also announced options to watch the half marathon live, providing viewers a way to follow the event without traveling to the course. Additional coverage highlighted runners participating this year, including students who have trained to take on the 13.1-mile distance.
The weekend event matters for both city logistics and community activity. Major races typically require coordinated traffic plans and temporary changes to normal transit patterns to keep runners and spectators safe. For neighborhoods surrounding Douglass, Garfield and Humboldt parks, the closures can affect commutes, deliveries and access to local businesses and homes, making advance planning essential.
The half marathon is also a significant public event for Chicago’s running community and for the parks that host large-scale recreation. With televised and streamed viewing options available, the race is positioned as both an in-person and at-home event, expanding the audience beyond those lining the course.
City drivers should expect detours and delays near the parks and along connecting corridors while closures are in place. Residents in affected areas may see restricted vehicle access at certain times depending on where the course runs and when streets reopen. Organizers and local outlets have urged people to review closure information before heading out.
What happens next is straightforward: race operations will roll out over the weekend, with street restrictions starting and ending according to the published schedules. Spectators planning to watch in person will need to follow posted directions and allow extra time to reach viewing areas. Those watching remotely can use the live viewing options described in local coverage.
As Chicago’s West Side prepares for the Bank of America 13.1, the focus will be on safely moving thousands of runners through Douglass, Garfield and Humboldt parks while keeping the city’s streets and neighborhoods functioning through the temporary closures.
