Registration for the F3 Lake Half Marathon & 5K will close on January 28th at noon or until we sell out. We have always sold out.
All registrants receive a confirmation email to the email address provided during registration. You can also check your registration online.
If you still need assistance, please email info@f3running.com
The Half Marathon starts at 10:00 am (4:30-8:30 pace), 10:10am (8:45-10:45 pace), 10:20am (11:00-13:45 pace).
The 5K starts at 10:30 am.
Age group will be using chip time. Overall winners will be using gun time.
Results can be found live on our website at https://f3running.com/results/
At the event, results will be available at one of our results kiosks inside the United Club at Soldier Field.
Age group awards will be shipped in 2023 because of the wave starts.
Packet pickup will occur at multiple locations in Chicago and the suburbs.
Please bring your ID and ID of your friends if picking up for them.
Groups of 4 or more: please email info@f3running.com beforehand if you want to pick up together and we will pull your packets to speed up the process.
If you need to pick up your packet on race day there is a $15 charge.
We are currently not offering packet pickup the day before the race. We want to make sure that we have enough staff to setup & prepare everything for race day.
Yes. If someone is picking up your packet, please have them provide your photo ID, photocopy of your ID, or confirmation email.
The location you chose when you registered gives us an idea of how many people to expect at each location. It doesn’t mean you have to pick up your packet at that location, but WE VERY MUCH PREFER IT. This year we are handing out hooded jackets, which take up LOTS of room. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE email us and ask if you need to change your packet pickup location. And if you need to change your packet pickup to race day, you will need to email info@f3running.com and then pay for Will Call. Online Will Call sales end at noon the day before the race.
There will be a vehicle following the last participants of the race.
If you need to drop out sooner, please stop at one of the aid stations. Alert the aid station captain and you can stay warm in the van while you wait for a ride from us.
Approximately 1:30 pm CST. This is a 3 hour and 30 minute time limit.
Gear check will be available inside the United Club this year. Look for the signs for Bag Check as you enter the building.
Yes. Spectators and friends are welcome to join us before and during the race in the United Club and at the post-race party.
Please remind them that they are encouraged to cover their nose and mouth with a mask anytime they are inside.
Sorry there are no refunds.
Because of the current COVID situation, we are allowing deferment. You can defer to F^3 2024, or one of our trail races:
f3running.com/forge10k
f3running.com/cap26
If you already picked up your packet but do not want to attend in person, you can switch to virtual and we will ship you your medal.
We are unable to retroactively apply any discount codes to your registration.
Overall winners (top 4) in the Half Marathon will receive prize money.
Age Group Awards for the Half Marathon are as follows.
Multiple age group categories: 0-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70+
Overall winners in the 5k will receive awards.
In order to be eligible to win an overall award or an age group award, you must run the race you registered and paid for. If you would like to drop down to a race that is of shorter distance, you must inform customer service prior to race start. You will then be assigned the proper race bib. If you would like to move up to a longer distance race, you must inform customer service, pay the additional fee and fill out the proper paper work. You will then be assigned the proper race bib. You will be ineligible to win an award if you do not follow these procedures prior to the race.
You are able to change your race distance by logging into your RunSignUp account. You can also email info@f3running.com prior to January 26th. There is no fee, but you must pay the applicable additional registration fee if you are switching “up” to the half marathon.
If you do not officially change distances you will be disqualified and your race time will not count.
Online distance changes end at noon the day before the race. After this time all distance changes must be done on race morning at Will Call. Things are busy on race morning, so the cost is prohibitive: $20 to change from the half marathon to the 5K and $50 to change from the 5K to the half marathon. PLAN AHEAD.
We fully support the participation of legally blind athletes. Participants that require a guide runner should first register themselves on RunSignUp, and then email info@f3running.com. We can provide a code specifically for your guide runner to register, typically at no cost to your guide.
Wheelchair athletes are welcome. If you are a para or wheelchair athlete, please email info@f3running.com so we can be ready for a 9:50 wheelchair start.
No baby joggers, strollers, pets, bicycles, skateboards and other wheeled vehicles are permitted.
Unregistered pacers are also not allowed. In 2020, we had 50+ of these people take away medals from our registered runners. For timing purposes the finish line is video recorded. And there are photographers on course. If you are getting paced by an unregistered runner, you risk being disqualified.
Each participant must have his/her own registration. In the event of an emergency, race official must have emergency contact information on hand, therefore you are NOT allowed to participate using someone else’s registration. There are NO exceptions to this policy.
There are no refunds for the Half Marathon or 5K events. You may not transfer your entry to another person.
We’ve partnered with Physicians Immediate Care. Find a clinic now at visitphysicians.com
Please email us at development@f3running.com. You can also contact us using our Sponsor form.
The F3 Lake Half Marathon and 5k races take place in January in Chicago. Expect wintery conditions. Safety is our priority. Please stay tuned to our Facebook page for weather updates. There may be delays due to extreme weather – please listen to the announcer for updates.
Race time temperature has been as high as 47F and as low as -3F. It has been sunny, cloudy, windy, calm, snowy, rainy, and dry. But not all at once.
F^3 Events works closely with the Chicago Park District, Soldier Field and the City of Chicago and reserves the right to cancel/re-schedule the event in excessively dangerous weather. Please note that your registration is non-refundable.