Frequently Asked Questions

All members of Lurie Children’s Marathon Team will be responsible for the $50 team fee (paid at time of registration with team) as well as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon fee of $230 (US Residents)/ $240 (Non Residents) (paid separately to Chicago Marathon). Both of these fees are non-refundable.

If you do not reach 75% of your goal by September 2023, you will have your participant bib held from packet pick up at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo. In order to have your participant bib released, you will be required to visit the Lurie Children’s booth at the expo and pay the difference owed or turn in any donations that make up the difference before you are signed off to pick up your race bib.

If your minimum pledge amount is not received on or before November 2023 (specific date TBA), Lurie Children’s will charge the remaining balance to the runner's credit card. You will be notified before the charge is made. You must guarantee your minimum fundraising amount, with a credit card, at the time of your team registration.

Runners who experience an injury or illness that requires them to withdraw from the race are required to submit medical documentation and meet the fundraising commitment made when registering for the Lurie Children’s Marathon Team. By reaching the fundraising minimum, Lurie Children’s will reserve a race bib for this runner for the 2024 event.

The $50 Lurie Children’s team fee and the $205 (US Residents)/ $230 (Non Residents) entry fee paid to Bank of America Chicago Marathon are non-refundable, no matter when notification is given. Charity entries may not be deferred, transferred, or refunded. For more information on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon deferment process, please click here.

The fastest and easiest way for your supporters to make a donation on your behalf is to refer them to the personal fundraising page you create on this website. If they prefer, they can fill out this offline donation form and mail it to:

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation
Attn: Community Events
Department 4586
Carol Stream, IL 60122-4586

Yes, all donations in which goods or services are not received are 100% tax deductible. The Foundation will send a gift receipt and acknowledgement letter to anyone who makes a donation on behalf of a Lurie Children’s Marathon Team member.

After team members create a personal fundraising page, they will gain access to free online tools and tips to help them reach and exceed their fundraising goals. This includes sample e-mail templates, social media posts and images and general fundraising ideas. Visit the Fundraising Tips page for all your fundraising resources.

First, check to see if your company has a matching gift program for health organizations. The website, MatchingGifts.com can be helpful indetermining which companies match donations. Complete a matching gift form (available from your company's Human Resources department) and send it in with your donation.

See if your company has a matching gift program for healthcare organizations. You will need to complete a matching gift form (available from your company's Human Resources department) and send it in with your donation. Please ensure that your name and “Lurie Children’s Marathon Team” is linked to the donation, or we cannot guarantee that it will be credited towards your fundraising.

Log in to the participant headquarters at any time to track your fundraising progress. When a donation is made online, it is processed automatically and added to your fundraising total. Donations made by check, giving foundation or money order will be processed and counted toward your fundraising total within 15 business days after they are received by Lurie Children’s Foundation.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 9, 2023.

Runners can pick up their singlet at the Kick-Off Party or the Pasta Dinner. T-shirts for friends and family will be available for pick up at the Pasta Dinner in October. If you are unable to attend the Kick-Off Party or Pasta Dinner, these items will also be available at the Chicago Marathon Abbott Health & Fitness Expo. Singlets can be mailed to runners upon request.

All packets must be picked up in-person by the runner during the Chicago Marathon Abbott Health & Fitness Expo. Every runner is required to pick up their own bib for safety and security reasons. If you haven’t reached 75% of your fundraising by October 1, your bib will be held and you will need to stop by the Lurie Children’s Marathon Team booth to pay the difference owed before your bib is released.

Please contact Ted McCartan at [email protected].