About
Start your race season on the right foot with the 2026 Chicago Spring Half Marathon + 5K! Volunteering is a great way for future participants, friends, and family members of current participants, to get a close-up and behind the scenes view of the event.
Get ready for the 2026 Life Time Chicago Spring Half Marathon + 5K!
Perks
We can't thank you enough for your help, but we want to try to show you how much we appreciate you! All volunteers will receive a volunteer shirt, water, snacks, a light meal, service hours, and more.
Volunteer Groups
Learn more about group opportunities and how you could earn a donation for your group or non-profit of 10+ by contacting us at volunteer.lifetime@gmail.com.
A few people you will meet... View All
Shifts (24)
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packet Pickup - Load-In | 10:00am (CT) | 2:00pm (CT) | 12 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603 Chicago Athletic Association - meet in "The Tank" on First Floor | Assist staff with setting up packet pickup. This position requires heavy lifting. | 9/10 | Over |
| Packet Pickup - Goody Bag Stuffing | 12:00pm (CT) | 4:00pm (CT) | 12 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603 Chicago Athletic Association - meet in "The Tank" on First Floor | Great for teams! Goody bag stuffing volunteers add fliers, coupons, and products to each athlete goody bag. | 19/25 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packet Pickup - Morning Shift | 10:00am (CT) | 3:00pm (CT) | 12 S Michigan Ave Chicago, Illinois 60642 Chicago Athletic Association - meet in "The Tank" on First Floor | Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick up, and shirt/goody bag distribution. | 26/26 | Over |
| Packet Pickup - Goody Bag Stuffing | 10:00am (CT) | 5:00pm (CT) | 12 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603 Chicago Athletic Association - meet in "The Tank" on First Floor | Great for teams! Goody bag stuffing volunteers add fliers, coupons, and products to each athlete goody bag. | 6/20 | Over |
| Packet Pickup - Afternoon Shift | 2:00pm (CT) | 7:30pm (CT) | 12 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603 Chicago Athletic Association - meet in "The Tank" on First Floor | Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick up, and shirt/goody bag distribution. | 23/25 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packet Pickup - Morning Shift | 9:30am (CT) | 2:00pm (CT) | 12 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603 Chicago Athletic Association - meet in "The Tank" on First Floor | Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick up, and shirt/goody bag distribution. | 25/25 | Over |
| Medal Unwrapping | 1:00pm (CT) | 5:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Help our team unwrap and prep all of the finisher medals! | 25/30 | Over |
| Packet Pickup - Afternoon Shift | 1:00pm (CT) | 5:30pm (CT) | 12 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603 Chicago Athletic Association - meet in "The Tank" on First Floor | Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick up, and shirt/goody bag distribution. | 24/24 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aid Station C Volunteers | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | Lakefront Trail at Oakwood Chicago, Illinois 60616 Lakefront Trail at Oakwood | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! Aid Station volunteers will be given a phone number to call in case of an emergency on race day. Check-in with the Aid Station Captain. | 60/60 | Over |
| Aid Station B Volunteers | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | Lakefront Trail just North of 31st St Beach Chicago, IL 60605 Lakefront Trail just North of 31st St Beach | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! Aid Station volunteers will be given a phone number to call in case of an emergency on race day. | 55/60 | Over |
| Aid Station A Volunteers | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | Lakefront Trail at McFetridge Dr. Chicago, IL 60605 Lakefront Trail at McFetridge Dr. | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! Aid Station volunteers will be given a phone number to call in case of an emergency on race day. | 28/28 | Over |
| Aid Station D Volunteers | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | Lakefront Trail just south of 47th St Chicago, Illinois 60653 Lakefront Trail just south of 47th St | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! Aid Station volunteers will be given a phone number to call in case of an emergency on race day. Check-in with the Aid Station Captain. | 49/49 | Over |
| Aid Station E Volunteers | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | Lakefront Trail at Queen’s Landing Chicago, Illinois 60653 Lakefront Trail at Queen’s Landing | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! Aid Station volunteers will be given a phone number to call in case of an emergency on race day. Check-in with the Aid Station Captain. | 45/45 | Over |
| Medical Volunteer | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Assist with medical needs in the Main Medical Tent or on course. Exact placement will be determined race morning. Medical knowledge is required; medical professional licensing is preferred (EMT, Paramedic, RN, PT, MD). | 60/60 | Over |
| Start/Kids Race Volunteer | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Guide athletes to their assigned corral and assist with releasing them onto the course for the Half Marathon,10K, and the Kids Race. | 1/35 | Over |
| Will Call/Results Volunteer | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Assist the registration staff with packet pickup to distribute will call bibs and congratulate athletes with their results once they finish. Volunteers may also be asked to assist with the Awards Ceremony. | 10/10 | Over |
| Gear Check Volunteer | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Athletes will drop off their gear and you'll help label and organize the bags for easy pick-up after their race. | 15/29 | Over |
| General Volunteer | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | If you're flexible and adaptable to any task, this role is for you! General volunteers will be assigned different tasks throughout the event. | 24/30 | Over |
| Volunteer Check-in Assistants | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Help our volunteer team check-in volunteers, distribute t-shirts, and keep all volunteers hydrated and fed. | 2/2 | Over |
| Bike Leads | 6:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Experienced Biker required to lead large groups of runners. *Personal bike and helmet are required | 6/10 | Over |
| Finish Line Volunteer | 6:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Be the first to congratulate athletes once they finish their race! Prepare and distribute finisher medals, water, post-race food, and more. | 24/24 | Over |
| Course Marshals | 6:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | 337 E Randolph Street Chicago, Illinois 60601 Maggie Daley Park | Direct the racers at key intersections and turns on the course. | 2/10 | Over |
| T2 Beer Garden and Start/Kids Volunteers | 6:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Help with setting up the bar in the beer garden, managing beer distribution according to given guidelines, ID-ing athletes before entering, garbage control throughout the event in the beer garden, and tearing down the snow fencing, inflatables and any other items related to the beer garden. Must be 21 or... | 39/39 | Over |
| Tear Down Volunteers | 9:30am (CT) | 2:00pm (CT) | S Lake Shore Dr & E Monroe St Chicago, Illinois 60601 Butler Field | Assist in breaking down different areas of the event including the start line, finish areas, post-race festival, etc. | 12/12 | Over |