The 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Annual Mercy Mile Cheer Zone to Feature Food, Fun, Festivities
Chicago, September 29, 2022–Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in the West Loop has been named an official cheer zone of the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Spectators are invited to watch the race there on October 9 as participants pass by the non-profit organization’s headquarters at 1140 West Jackson Blvd.
While taking in the spectacle of one of the world’s premier running events up close, fans and families can also enjoy a free festival on Mercy Home’s property that will feature games, a bounce house, a 25-foot climbing wall, tattoo and caricature artists, face painters, a DJ, donuts and coffee.
Located just west of downtown Chicago and Greektown, the Mercy Mile Cheer Zone will be a family-friendly and FREE party for all ages and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2022.
The Mercy Mile lies in the heart of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood and covers a portion of Mile 17 of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon route. More than 40,000 runners will pass by Mercy Home’s exuberant cheer station. Among them will be 262 runners who are raising funds for Mercy Home for Boys & Girls through their participation in the event. Known as the Mercy Home Heroes, the charity team has been a critical source of support for the non-profit youth care organization since 2010. As they have trained for the big day on October 9, they have provided the resources Mercy Home needs to offer a safe home, therapy, education, life skills, career development, and overall encouragement to young people in need.
Situated directly on the marathon route, Mercy Home has held a cheer zone event since 2010, bringing out residents, staff, family, friends, and neighbors in the West Loop community to make noise on race day morning and encourage runners to conquer the final stretch. The party has grown bigger and louder every year since and with the addition of the festival elements and the designation as an official marathon cheer zone, it will be the place to be near downtown Chicago on race day morning.
For more information on how to get involved in the Mercy Home Heroes team or to donate to a runner, visit
