Runners celebrate start to spring season with 43rd annual Shamrock Shuffle

Thousands of runners decked out in green gear gathered in Grant Park for the 43rd annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Sunday morning.

CHICAGO - Thousands of runners decked out in green gear gathered in Grant Park for the 43rd annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Sunday morning.

Moren than 24,000 participants crossed the finish line, beating last year's record of 21,000 people.

Nathan Martin broke the tape first in the men’s race in 23:08, Amy Davis-Green led the women’s field with a 25:54 and Peter Ruiz placed first in the wheelchair competition.

Runners went as far north as Grand Avenue and then headed back over the river on State Street and ran west on Wacker Drive before continuing south. The finish line is nestled in the southern part of Grant Park. See the complete course map here.

Runners prepare for 2024 Shamrock Shuffle in downtown Chicago

We caught up with professional long-distance runner and 2020 Olympian Galen Rupp just minutes before the start of the 2024 Shamrock Shuffle. Rupp says the annual Chicago race is the kick-off to the outdoor running season.

Drivers should continue to take extra care when traveling downtown due to street closures. Balbo Drive between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive will close at 10 a.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday. Columbus Drive between Randolph Street and Roosevelt Road will be closed Saturday through Monday.

Streets on the race route were closed Sunday during the event and reopened by the Chicago Police Department as the final runners passed through. Roads in Grant Park wertr closed longer, as a post-race party was scheduled to last until 1 p.m.

Full results from the 2024 event are available at shamrockshuffle.com.