The 2018 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K is fast approaching, but don’t worry if you aren’t up to speed.

Here's everything you need to know if you're planning on watching, walking or running in the 39th annual event, which takes place March 25.

The course:

The 8K takes runners from Grant Park to Grand Avenue, snaking through streets in the South Loop back to Roosevelt Road and ending up in Grant Park again.

The 2-mile walking course returns for its second year, taking participants along the lakefront, beginning and ending at the same spots in Grant Park as the 8K.

Here is a map of both courses.

All of the courses' streets will be closed to vehicular traffic during the morning and afternoon of March 25.

Runners must be able to keep a pace of 15 minutes per mile, ensuring they finish within 1 hour and 15 minutes, while walkers must be able to keep a pace of 30 minutes per mile and finish within 1 hour.

There will be two aid stations for runners: one at State and Randolph streets and another at Harrison and Wells streets. Aid stations are equipped with water, Gatorade, medical support and bathrooms.

Schedule:

Friday, March 23: Packet pickup occurs from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at the McCormick Place Skyline Ballroom.

Saturday, March 24: Packet pickup occurs from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the McCormick Place Skyline Ballroom.

Sunday, March 25: Participants meet at Grant Park.

6:30 a.m. – Gear check and start corrals open

8:30 a.m. – The first wave of racers begins (click here to see expected pace for the waves)

9 a.m. – Post-race party begins, and the second wave of racers begins (click here to see expected pace for the waves)

9:30 a.m. – The 2-mile walk begins, live music from ‘80s cover band Sixteen Candles begins

11:30 a.m. – Gear check closes

1 p.m. – Beer ticket sales end

1:30 p.m. – Post-race party ends

2 p.m. – Race after-party begins at The Scout Waterhouse and Kitchen, 1301 S. Wabash Ave.

1 a.m. – Race after-party ends at The Scout

Times are subject to change, according to the Shamrock Shuffle website, so check back before race day.

What runners get:

When runners pick up their packet at McCormick Place, they will find a timing device, event bib number, Nike participant running shirt and beer tickets (if they purchased additional tickets). Walkers will get everything except the timing device.

The bib number can be redeemed for a Michelob ULTRA beer at the Scout after party.

Participants’ friends and family can also collect the packet if they have a copy of the packet pickup email.

Additional commemorative merchandise will be available for purchase at McCormick Place during packet pick-up or at four locations throughout the city: Nike Chicago, 669 N. Michigan Ave.; Nike Running Bucktown, 1640 N. Damen Ave.; Fleet Feet Sports Old Town, 1620 N. Wells St.; and Fleet Feet Sports South Loop, 150 W. Roosevelt Road.

How to watch:

NBC Chicago will livestream the event from 8 a.m.–11 a.m. on NBCChicago.com and the NBC Chicago mobile app.

Registration:

You can register at the Shamrock Shuffle website through March 19, or until registration capacity is met. There is no waiting list. 

8K runners are subject to a $50 registration fee while 2-mile walkers pay $35. 8K participants can also pay $55 to have the additional $5 go to a Shamrock Shuffle charity of their choice.

The race is involved with 34 charities. Here is a full list. 

Volunteers:

Anyone who wants to lend a hand can register to volunteer through March 19. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, but some positions require you to be 18.

Before race day, volunteers can help out with participant packet prepartion or packet pickup. On race day, the Shuffle needs volunteers for start corrals, information team members and course marshals.

Click here for more information, including age requirements for each volunteer position.