NOTE: NBC 5 will offer complete live coverage of the 2017 race beginning at 7 a.m. CT online and on TV on Oct. 7. The race can be streamed live from around world on the NBC Chicago app, which will also offer a live stream of the finish line from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Many Bank of America Chicago Marathon runners rely on the crowd to get them through to the finish line -- and the marathon is making it easy to find a good spot for fans to do just that. 

Official Cheer Zones

Bank of America Cheer Zones – Miles 13.7 and 26

Cheer items will be provided to help you support your runners, and you'll be encouraged to “high-five” runners as a way of motivating and celebrating their journey to the finish, organizers said. The Mile 13.7 Cheer Zone will be located on Monroe and Jeff erson Streets (two blocks from Union Station). The Mile 26 Cheer Zone is near the finish line at Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road. 

Merrill Lynch Cheer Zone

Head to the Merrill Lynch Cheer Zone to grab a bull bell and join the DJ encouraging runners as they make their way through the West Loop. The Merrill Lynch Cheer Zone is located at Mile 17.1 (Halsted Street and Jackson Boulevard). 

U.S. Trust Cheer Zone

Come make some noise and cheer on the runners, giving them an extra push of motivation for the second half of the race. The U.S. Trust Cheer Zone is located at Mile 13.7 on Jefferson Street between Monroe and Adams Streets.

Charity block party

Thousands of Bank of America Chicago Marathon participants are running and fundraising on behalf of important local, national and global causes. To celebrate the impact these participants make, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will host a Charity Block Party near Mile 15. Spectators, family and friends are welcome to cheer on their charity runners at the Charity Block Party located at Adams Street and Loomis Street near Whitney Young High School. 

A complete list of official cheer zones can be found here.