2026 Shamrock Shuffle in Grant Park: Road closures, map, and more
The unofficial start of outdoor running season kicked off with the 2026 Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday morning.
Thousands of runners hit the pavement starting in Grant Park and through the Loop in an 8K run or 2-mile walk, all while continuing the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
This year marks the 45th running of the race. Carey Pinkowski, executive director and founder of Chicago Event Management, said more than 30,000 people are running and walking.
There are more than 70 elite teams and more than 90 open teams participating in the run, which marks an unofficial start of spring in Chicago — despite weather more befitting of winter on Sunday.
"It is an extension of the St. Patrick's celebration for sure. But it's just everybody getting together," said Pinkowski. "I mean, we have rough winter, so this is really the first time, really, everybody is out, rite of spring."
As the start of the running season, the Shamrock Shuffle is something of a prelude to the Chicago Marathon in the fall.
"It's not only about showing off the city and driving economic impact to the city," said Rita Cook, managing director of Bank of America. "Many of these runners are running for charity. We've got about 3,000, like I said, running the full distance series, another 18,000 that will run the marathon that are specifically running for more than 200 causes."
For spectators heading downtown, here's what to know for Sunday's race.
What are the Shamrock Shuffle race times?
There were two waves for the 8K race, starting with the first wave at 8:30 a.m., followed by the second wave at 9 a.m. The 2-mile walk will then kick off at 9:30 a.m.
The wheelchair race started at 8:20 a.m.
Road closures for Shamrock Shuffle
Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive will remain closed until Wednesday. Grant Park is closed to all vehicle traffic until about 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Traffic was closed until 11:30 a.m. as runners pass through the following streets:
- Columbus Dr. from Roosevelt Road to Grand Avenue
- Grand Avenue from Columbus Drive to State Street
- State Street from Grand Avenue to Wacker Drive
- Wacker Drive from State Street to Washington Boulevard
- Washington Boulevard from Wacker Drive to State Street
- State Street from Washington Boulevard to Jackson Boulevard
- Jackson Boulevard from State Street to Franklin Street
- Franklin Street from Jackson Boulevard to Harrison Street
- Harrison Street from Franklin Street to Michigan Avenue
- Michigan Avenue from Harrison Street to Roosevelt Road
- Roosevelt Road from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive
DuSable Lake Shore Drive and North Michigan Avenue north of Ida B. Wells Drive will remain open.
Parking will not be allowed on those streets starting at 1 a.m. on Sunday. Any vehicles still on the street at that time will be ticketed and towed.
Public transportation is advised for getting to the Shamrock Shuffle
With parking and road closures, participants and spectators are advised to rely on public transportation, including Divvy bikes, CTA, and Metra.
Rail riders can get to Grant Park after getting off at the Adams/Wabash station from either the elevated Green, Orange, Pink, or Brown rails. Next, walk one block south to Jackson Boulevard, then one block east on Jackson Boulevard to enter the event at Michigan Avenue.
Red and Blue Line riders can exit at the accessible Jackson station and walk three blocks east on Jackson Boulevard to enter the event at Jackson.
Shamrock Shuffle post-race party and after-party
The fun doesn't end when the race is over.
The post-race party will start at 9 a.m. and last until noon.
An after-party will be hosted at The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Racers with their race bibs, who are 21 and older, will receive a complimentary Goose Island beer.
