Date

When is the 2023 Chicago Marathon?

• Sunday, October 8, 2023

COVID-19

I deferred my 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon entry, guaranteed by MDA, due to COVID-19. Can I still claim this entry with Team Momentum? All 2022 deferred runners who wish to compete in the 2023 race needed to register by December 15, 2022. If you deferred in 2022 but did not register by this deadline, you can still run with Team Momentum by registering as a new participant and agree to a fundraising minimum. You can then claim your 2020 deferment in the 2022 or 2023 race.

I achieved my fundraising minimum for the 2022 race. Am I still required to fundraise in 2023? If you were registered for the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and achieved your fundraising minimum before the December 13^th deadline, you will not be required to fundraise in 2023. We’ll still provide you with a website so you can continue to raise funds and awareness for MDA’s mission.

What happens if the 2023 race is cancelled? In the event that the race cannot take place, you’ll receive information directly from the Bank of America Chicago Marathon about a refund or deferring to a future year.

Registration

Does MDA have unlimited entries to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon? Every year, MDA is allotted a set amount of race entries that have to be filled by a certain date. These entries are given out on a first come, first served basis and require the participant to agree to a fundraising commitment.

What’s the difference in participant types? MDA offers various participant types depending on availability and time of year. Fundraising commitments are at their lowest before and during the lottery and increase the day the lottery closes. All fundraising commitments are created based on partner agreements with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Why am I required to give credit card information? MDA staff is here to stay in constant contact with you from the moment you sign up for any Team Momentum experience, working hard beside you to ensure fundraising success. In the event that you do not achieve your fundraising commitment by the deadline (typically two weeks prior to race day) we ask that you donate the difference to hold your spot in the race. We also can charge your credit card on file. Those who do not achieve their fundraising commitment by the deadline will have their bibs held at the expo until the commitment is met.

I was selected in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon lottery. Can I still be a part of Team Momentum? Yes! You can bring your own entry and enjoy all the perks of being on the Team Momentum team at a lower fundraising minimum than those who do not have their own entry.

I want to register as a member on a team, but do not see my team listed. Your team captain may not have registered yet. Contact your team captain to see if he or she as registered or if the team name has changed. You can also be the new team leader and start the team, and if you’d like, we can create a new team leader later on.

Fundraising

Is there a fundraising commitment? Yes, all Team Momentum participants are required to raise funds. Fundraising commitments vary and are based on your participant type. MDA staff are here to help you surpass fundraising maximums for MDA’s mission.

I’m registered for the event but am no longer able to participate. Do I still need to raise funds? Once you have signed up directly through the Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration website, you are officially committed to run the race and fundraise on behalf of MDA. All participants, regardless of their ability to run on race day, will be required to complete their fundraising commitment they agreed to.

How do I raise money? Once you register, you'll receive a link to your personal website, where you can create customized content and send donation requests via email or share your page on social media. We also have several add on apps/tools that we are ready to share with you. MDA staff are ready and willing to help you brainstorm fundraising ideas and events.

I heard there is a MDA Fundraising mobile app - what does it do?
The app is your key to participating in the full event experience. Download it today on your mobile device and you can:

• Post fundraising messages on social media or send them directly to the contacts saved on your phone 
• Participate in activity challenges & log your steps on Walk day
• Earn badges for fundraising and participation in the Walk 

How do I get the mobile app?

The DonorDrive app is available in both the Apple and Google Ap stores.  Simply download it onto your device and login with the same credentials as the website to get started!

To whom do I make checks payable? Make checks payable to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Where does the money I raise go? The dollars we raise together enable MDA to fund research breakthroughs across diseases, care for kids and adults from day one, and empower families with services and support. Visit https://www.mda.org/about-mda/our-impact to learn more.

Perks

What perks does MDA offer? MDA offers 18-20 week training from certified running coaches, race day gear including Team Momentum race gear, and race weekend hospitality. In a normal year, we would love to promise everything in the world, but COVID! We plan to offer the most VIP event experience possible. There will be virtual meetings (yes, more of that) Facebook groups, and tons of contact with mentors and MDA staff. You also have the ability to earn some additional MDA team swag through fundraising incentives.

Coaching

Does MDA provide coaching? MDA partners with certified running coaches to offer a best in class marathon experience. Coaching will begin 18-20 weeks before the marathon and training plans range from beginner to novice.

Is there an additional cost for coaching? No. Your registration fee covers the cost associated with the coaching and training plans. Our coaches are outstanding and have many years of experience coaching runners of all experience at the Abbott World Marathon Major Marathons and races around the country.

Involvement

Will there be a Saturday gathering?

• Yes! More information to come soon!

Can I sign up to be a volunteer?

• Yes! Here is a link to our volunteer sign up page.
• https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org723320.jsp#org_btf_block

Will there be cheer stations?

• Yes! More information to come. If you are interested in being the lead of a cheer station, please reach out to Lindsey Beard lbeard@mdausa.org!

Are there other ways to get involved with MDA? Yes! Please email mdateam@mdausa.org for information on how to get involved in our national leadership board or how you can help recruit in your local running communities.