The Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Bag provides a curated selection of discounts, freebies, and special offers for registered participants. These promotions are designed to support runners throughout their training, race day experience, and recovery. The offers span various categories, including sports apparel, nutrition, health services, local entertainment, and food and beverage. It is important to note that all specific offers listed in the provided source data are marked as expired, indicating that these particular promotions were for the 2025 event cycle. However, they illustrate the types of benefits that participants may expect in future marathon cycles.
Sports and Apparel Discounts
Several sponsors provide discounts on running gear and accessories. DICK'S Sporting Goods, a proud sponsor of the marathon, offers participants the ability to shop a wide selection of running shoes, socks, apparel, and accessories. The promotion encourages runners to get ready for their race at one of the 21 locations in Chicagoland. This offer has expired.
For those seeking to display their marathon medal, a 20% discount was available on "All products" from The Original Marathon Bracelet, which helps runners showcase their medal every day. This offer has expired.
Nutrition and Hydration Support
Fueling is a critical component of marathon training and racing. Maurten, an on-course fuel provider, offered participants a 20% discount on purchases made on their website. The promotion required using the same email address registered for the race. Participants were informed that Maurten would be present on-course with Hydrogel Fuel Depots supporting them with Gel 100 and Gel 100 Caf 100. This offer has expired.
For hydration, Culligan with ZeroWater Technology offered a 20% discount on purchases. The promotion emphasized training with cleaner water, noting that the five-stage advanced filtration is certified to remove 5X more contaminants than the leading pitcher brand. This offer has expired.
In the realm of natural energy, Chiquita bananas were available for free at booth #157 during the marathon expo. The promotion highlighted that Chiquita bananas deliver 100% natural energy, are portable, and are melt-proof. Conditions applied to the free banana offer, which has expired.
Health and Recovery Services
Post-race recovery was addressed by several partners. Biofreeze offered a free injury assessment. The service was described as an opportunity for runners who feel sore, stiff, or like something is not quite right after crossing the finish line. Endurance experts would address potential issues and provide personalized recovery plans. This offer has expired.
StretchLab provided a 50-minute assisted stretch session for a special price of $99 for marathon participants. The session was positioned as perfect for pre-race mobilization and post-race muscle recovery, with the session customized for the runner's body and marathon goals. The offer was valid at either of their downtown Chicago locations in South Loop or West Loop. This offer has expired.
Stryker, a company offering Automated External Defibrillator (AED) programs, provided information on its products. While not a direct freebie for participants, it was listed as a resource for being prepared for a cardiac emergency. This offer has expired.
Local Chicago Experiences and Entertainment
The marathon experience extends beyond the race itself, with offers for local Chicago attractions and entertainment.
- Skydeck Chicago: Participants could celebrate their accomplishment by bringing their medal to Skydeck Chicago for a free printed picture on #TheLedge after completing 103 stories. This offer has expired.
- Shoreline Sightseeing: A 15% discount was offered on an Architecture River Tour, allowing runners to see Chicago's famous architecture from the Chicago River. This offer has expired.
- Zanies Chicago Comedy Club: Participants were eligible for two free tickets to Zanies for their Chicago or Rosemont locations. This offer has expired.
- Chicago Blackhawks: A 26.2% discount was available on select tickets to upcoming Chicago Blackhawks games. This offer has expired.
- 65% off Guided Sightseeing Shakeout Run: This offer combined sightseeing and a shake-out run for the Chicago Marathon weekend. A local running guide would lead a casual-paced run to bucket list sites like the Riverwalk, Chicago Theater, and "The Bean" in Millennium Park, with stops for photos and information. This offer has expired.
Food and Beverage Offers
Several food and beverage establishments provided special deals for participants.
- Intelligentsia Coffeebar: Participants could enjoy $1 off any drink at Intelligentsia coffeebars. This offer has expired.
- Stan's Donuts: A free 16oz Iced Coffee was available with a purchase of $2.30 or more, effective in-store only. This offer has expired.
- Millennium Hall Restaurant: This restaurant hosted a special pre-race Pasta Dinner on October 10th - October 12th, 2025, in the heart of Millennium Park. The multi-course dinner was designed for runners to fuel up the night before the race. A separate post-race celebration, the "312 Post-Race Celebration," was also held at Millennium Hall, located just steps from the finish line. This offer has expired.
- Lizzie McNeill's: Located on the Chicago River, this venue hosted a "312 Post-Race Celebration" for finishers on Marathon Sunday, October 12, 2025, where every finisher became a VIP. This offer has expired.
- Impossible Foods: A special offer was provided for participants to "conquer a burger" after conquering the course. This offer has expired.
Other Services and Discounts
Additional services and discounts were available for logistical and practical needs.
- MarathonFoto: As the official photographer, MarathonFoto offered an early bird special for pre-ordering race photos. Participants could log into their Haku Participant Account, add the "MarathonFoto - Early Bird Special!" product to their cart, and check out to secure their photos at the best price. This offer has expired.
- Millennium Garages: Participants received discounted daily rates at Millennium Garages, which offers over 9,000 parking spaces across four garages. The discount was valid any day of the week at all four garages, but not on race day. This offer has expired.
- Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle: While not a freebie for the marathon itself, the virtual bag included information about the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, scheduled for March 22, 2026, as part of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series. This offer has expired.
- Guided Sightseeing Shakeout Run: A 65% discount was offered on a guided sightseeing shakeout run, combining a run with a tour of Chicago's iconic sites. This offer has expired.
Important Considerations for Participants
When seeking freebies and promotional offers for events like the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, participants should be aware of several key factors. First, offers are often time-sensitive and tied to a specific event year. The provided data shows that all listed offers for the 2025 marathon have expired. Second, eligibility often requires being a registered participant, and some offers may require using a specific email address associated with the race registration. Third, many offers are subject to availability, such as free samples while supplies last. Fourth, some promotions are tied to a purchase or a specific action, like pre-ordering photos or making a purchase to qualify for a free drink. Finally, the location of offers is often specific to the event city or region, such as the Chicagoland area for DICK'S Sporting Goods or downtown Chicago locations for StretchLab.
For future marathon participants, it is advisable to check the official event website and participant portal for the most current list of available offers and to review the specific terms and conditions for each promotion. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Bag is typically a key resource for accessing these exclusive deals.
Conclusion
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Bag offers a diverse array of promotional benefits for participants, ranging from essential running gear discounts to local Chicago experiences and recovery services. While the specific offers from the 2025 event have expired, they demonstrate the collaborative nature of the event and the value provided to the runner community. Participants interested in similar benefits for future races should monitor official marathon communications and their participant accounts for updated offers. The key to maximizing these opportunities is to stay informed, act promptly on available promotions, and understand the eligibility requirements and limitations associated with each offer.