Presented by Bank of America

On Sunday, June 5, thousands of runners gathered on the city’s West Side for the inaugural Bank of America Chicago 13.1, a world-class running event and the newest addition to Chicago’s iconic racing portfolio.

Under near-perfect conditions, participants assembled in Garfield Park to kick off a 13.1-mile tour of three of Chicago’s oldest and most beautiful parks, traversing Humboldt and Douglass Parks and the surrounding boulevards and communities. A Race Day Festival held around the Garfield Park Gold Dome Field House served as an anchor for the day’s events, bringing together residents and visitors alike for a morning of entertainment, health and wellness activities, and opportunities for them to connect in the heart of the community.

The half marathon event, introduced in the fall of 2019 and delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, was conceived with a vision to reimagine running events in Chicago, extending the city’s racing portfolio beyond the lakefront and celebrating the culture, diversity, and community that runs deep on Chicago’s West Side. For more than four decades, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has been instrumental in showcasing the beauty of Chicago while serving as a driver of economic activity; the team behind the marathon saw the Chicago 13.1 as a key opportunity to extend that impact to another corner of Chicago.

The Bank of America Chicago 13.1

“It was impossible to miss the energy and enthusiasm on the West Side,” said Rita Cook, president of Bank of America Chicago, who held the finish line tape for runners in the elite men’s race. “So many runners expressed their gratitude for an opportunity to participate in a world-class race against the backdrop of a few of Chicago’s most historic parks and landscapes. We were overwhelmed by the excitement from residents, many of whom spent the morning on their porches cheering on the runners. This was just the beginning of a long and rewarding tradition.”

Congratulations to all the runners, including John Dressel and Carrie Verdon, who broke the tape in the elite men’s and women’s running competitions, becoming the first-ever champions of the Bank of America Chicago 13.1. The three-time winner of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Daniel Romanchuk, and Paralympic gold medalist and 5,000m world record holder, Susannah Scaroni, won the wheelchair races.

The Bank of America Chicago 13.1

The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 draws on decades of commitment by Bank of America to advancing economic mobility through partnerships with nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of Chicagoans. Bank of America thanks all our partners, including Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, Allies for Community Business, Inspiration Corporation A Safe Haven, and Casa Central, for their tireless work in building a stronger, more equitable community for all.

The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 team extends its gratitude to all the runners, volunteers, staff, and supporters of this year’s inaugural race. Please save the date for the 2nd annual Bank of America Chicago 13.1, which returns to the West Side on June 4, 2023!

The Bank of America Chicago 13.1

For more information and to sign up, visit the official event page!