About
Come celebrate the 2026 Chicago Half Marathon & 5K with us! This year's epic event traverses the streets around Hyde Park and the Museum of Science and Industry before winding on to traffic-free Lake Shore Drive. We couldn't put on a world-class event like the Chicago Half Marathon without the help of our volunteers!
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 an event specific 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 or by filling out the Group Volunteer Form on our website.
A few people you will meet... View All
Shifts (24)
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expo - Thursday Set-Up | 12:00pm (CT) | 4:00pm (CT) | 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, Illinois 60611 Navy Pier | Help our team set up the t-shirts, bags, and other items at the Expo. | 8/9 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expo - Friday Packet Pickup Full Day | 12:00pm (CT) | 7:30pm (CT) | 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, Illinois 60611 Navy Pier | The Expo is the athlete’s first stop as they get ready for their race. Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick-up, shirt/goody bag distribution, and other areas of the Expo. Volunteers will be assigned to a task after checking in. | 8/15 | Over |
| Expo - Friday Packet Pickup Shift 1 | 12:00pm (CT) | 4:00pm (CT) | 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, Illinois 60611 Navy Pier | The Expo is the athlete’s first stop as they get ready for their race. Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick-up, shirt/goody bag distribution, and other areas of the Expo. Volunteers will be assigned to a task after checking in. | 52/65 | Over |
| Expo - Friday Packet Pickup Shift 2 | 3:00pm (CT) | 7:30pm (CT) | 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, Illinois 60611 Navy Pier | The Expo is the athlete’s first stop as they get ready for their race. Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick-up, shirt/goody bag distribution, and other areas of the Expo. Volunteers will be assigned to a task after checking in. | 42/60 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expo - Saturday Packet Pickup Full Day | 9:00am (CT) | 5:30pm (CT) | 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, Illinois 60611 Navy Pier | The Expo is the athlete’s first stop as they get ready for their race. Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick-up, shirt/goody bag distribution, and other areas of the Expo. Volunteers will be assigned to a task after checking in. | 10/10 | Over |
| Expo - Saturday Packet Pickup Shift 1 | 9:00am (CT) | 1:30pm (CT) | 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, Illinois 60611 Navy Pier | The Expo is the athlete’s first stop as they get ready for their race. Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick-up, shirt/goody bag distribution, and other areas of the Expo. Volunteers will be assigned to a task after checking in. | 71/75 | Over |
| Expo - Saturday Packet Pickup Shift 2 | 12:30pm (CT) | 5:30pm (CT) | 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, Illinois 60611 Navy Pier | The Expo is the athlete’s first stop as they get ready for their race. Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick-up, shirt/goody bag distribution, and other areas of the Expo. Volunteers will be assigned to a task after checking in. | 68/70 | Over |
| Medal Party | 1:00pm (CT) | 5:00pm (CT) | Jackson Park Chicago, Illinois 60637 | Assist our staff with unwrapping and organizing medals. Great for groups! | 13/24 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aid Station A | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive / 50th St Exit Chicago, Illinois 60649 Check in with your Captain | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! | 30/30 | Over |
| Aid Station B | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | X6QP+8CR Chicago, Illinois Check in with your Captain | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! | 39/39 | Over |
| Aid Station C | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | X6QP+8CR Chicago, Illinois Check in with your Captain | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! | 41/41 | Over |
| Aid Station D | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | X6QP+8CR Chicago, Illinois Check in with your Captain | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! | 50/50 | Over |
| Aid Station E | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | X6QP+8CR Chicago, Illinois Check in with your Captain | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! | 32/32 | Over |
| Aid Station F | 5:30am (CT) | 11:30am (CT) | X6QP+8CR Chicago, Illinois Check in with your Captain | Help set up the Aid Station and keep athletes hydrated while cheering them on out on course! | 30/30 | Over |
| Gear Check | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | 6401 South Stony Island Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60637 Check in at Main Volunteer Tent | Athletes will drop off their gear and you'll help label and organize the bags for easy pick-up after their race. | 3/32 | Over |
| General Volunteer (ID Check, Info Booth, Hydration, Athlete Food, VIP) | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | Jackson Park Chicago, IL 60637 Check in at Main Volunteer Tent | ID Check, Info Booth, Hydration, Athlete Food, VIP and wherever else is needed! | 10/18 | Over |
| Medical Volunteer | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | Jackson Park Chicago, IL 60637 | 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). Medical Team Check-In There will be a medical team... | 75/75 | Over |
| Start Volunteers | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | 6401 South Stony Island Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60637 Check in at Main Volunteer Tent | Guide athletes to their assigned corral and assist with releasing them onto the course. | 41/54 | Over |
| Volunteer Tent | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | Jackson Park Chicago, IL 60637 Check in at the Main Volunteer Tent | Assist our volunteer team with checking in volunteers, distributing shirts, and walking volunteers to their locations. | 2/2 | Over |
| Will Call & Results Volunteers | 5:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | 6401 South Stony Island Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60637 Check in at Main Volunteer Tent | Tasks include greeting participants, assisting with bib pick-up, and shirt/goody bag distribution. After Will Call, show athletes their official race time and help hand out age group awards. | 0/10 | Over |
| Bike Lead | 6:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | Jackson Park Chicago, IL 60637 Check in at Main Volunteer Tent | Experienced Biker required to lead large groups of runners. *Personal bike is required | 9/14 | Over |
| Finish Line | 6:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | 6401 South Stony Island Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60637 Jackson Park | Be the first to congratulate athletes once they finish their race! Prepare and distribute finisher medals, water, post-race food, and more. Check in at the Main Volunteer Tent. | 42/42 | Over |
| T2 Beer Garden / Start Line Volunteers | 6:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | Jackson Park Chicago, IL 60637 Check in at Main Volunteer Tent | 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... | 30/30 | Over |
| Back of the Pack Crew | 6:30am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | Jackson Park Chicago, IL 60637 Check in at Main Volunteer Tent | This position is a fun and cheerful volunteer opportunity that offers direct interaction with the athletes. The Back of the Pack's first role is to assist the Life Time Staff with organizing the athletes at the start and managing the Pre-Race Water Station. Your focus should be on helping athletes... | 13/13 | Over |