Team Best Buddies: Chicago
Let's change the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
October 12, 2025
Chicago, IL
Thank You!
Join Team Best Buddies
How it works
Best Buddies in Illinois is honored to have the opportunity of being one of the charity partners for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon again. Running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike. On race day, runners from all 50 states and more than 100 countries will set out to accomplish a personal dream by reaching the finish line in Grant Park.
By running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with Team Best Buddies, each stride you take brings us closer to a more inclusive world. Team Best Buddies members commit to fundraising to further our mission to create opportunities for friendships, employment, and leadership for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
All Team Best Buddies members will receive:
- Guaranteed entry into the 2025 Chicago Marathon (if you don’t get in through drawing)
- A personalized fundraising page with tools to help you easily solicit donations to meet your fundraising goal of $2,100
- Team Best Buddies running singlet and swag bag
- Free access to CARA training plans and fitness tips
- Regular updates with important race information, training tips, and inspiration
- Opportunity to meet program participants, make a difference, and raise awareness for Best Buddies
As a part of your registration you will need to complete the 3 below steps:
- Register to run and commit to fundraise $2,100 for Best Buddies on the Team Best Buddies website.
- Use the Best Buddies International personalized link to register and pay the registration fee on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon website.
- Complete and return the Best Buddies runner waiver.
Schedule
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Visit chicagomarathon.com for all official race-day information
Location
Chicago, IL
Event Contact
Best Buddies in Illinois
500 N. Dearborn
Suite 730
Chicago IL 60654
Run
Join Best Buddies supporters at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Support
Celebrate
Let's Get Started!
Sign Up
Self-explanatory.
Easy peasy.
Form Your Crew
Fundraise
Run
Mission Movers
Going the extra mile for Best Buddies.
Supporting Local Programs
Funds raised through Team Best Buddies benefits Best Buddies – the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love Our Sponsors!
Title Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
Best Buddies Illinois, 500 N. Dearborn, Suite 730, Chicago, IL 60654
Frequently Asked Questions
Every person who raises $50 or more will receive the official Best Buddies Friendship Walk t-shirt on walk day. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting a more inclusive world and going the extra mile! Want to make sure you receive this year’s shirt? Get registered and start fundraising today!
First, thank you for bringing the whole family to support Best Buddies! As a family, you are raising funds as a collective unit (e.g. The SmithFamily) instead of as individuals, so the collective amount you’ve raised will be used to determine how many shirts you’ll receive on event day — the same “one t-shirt earned per $50 raised” still applies for family registrants.
For example: If you registered your family of 4 and you have $200 raised on your family page, each of you will receive a t-shirt when you arrive on event day!
First things first: Thank you! Your donation will count toward your child’s fundraising total, so they will be the one who earns the t-shirt. Want to make sure you receive one? Register to walk alongside them, make a donation of $50 or more, and the shirt is all yours on walk day!
We do! Simply bring it with you to the walk or contact your local Best Buddies office. Online donations are the easiest and safest, most secure way to give to Best Buddies, but either way — you’re making a difference!
Absolutely! Volunteers are vital to the success of the Friendship Walk, whether it’s assisting with event planning, day-of support, and more. Want to sign up to volunteer? Contact your local Best Buddies staff member — scroll up on the page one section to find more information!
Service animals are always welcome at the Friendship Walk! However, the allowance of other pets depends on the specific venue. For more information regarding bringing non-service animals, please reach out to your local Best Buddies staff member.
Best Buddies does not sell, share, or rent personal information collected through our website’s registration or donation forms. For more information, visit bestbuddies.org/privacy-policy