Chicago City Wire

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) has issued a notice to motorists, residents, and visitors regarding expected traffic disruptions and increased activity in the Grant Park and downtown Chicago area this weekend. The events prompting these advisories are the Gallagher Cup rugby match at Soldier Field on Saturday, November 1, and the 18th annual Hot Chocolate Run scheduled for Sunday, November 2.

The Gallagher Cup match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, with gates opening an hour earlier. Event details can be found at SoldierField.com/events.

On Sunday morning, runners will participate in the Hot Chocolate Run’s various races: a 5k, 10k, and 15k starting at 7:30 a.m., followed by a two-mile walk at 9 a.m. The course begins and ends in Grant Park, proceeding north along Columbus Drive to Wacker Drive through the Loop, then south on Michigan Avenue to 31st Street before continuing down MLK Drive to 35th Street. Runners will return via the lakefront path to finish just south of Balbo and Columbus. More information is available at hotchocolate15k.com/city/chicago/.

Additional activity is expected on Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as participants pick up race packets at the Hot Chocolate Expo held at Hyatt Regency Chicago.

OEMC reminds participants and the public to stay alert during these large gatherings. "If you see something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1," states OEMC. "If You See Something, Say Something is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities."

For those navigating Grant Park or nearby areas, OEMC encourages awareness of green signs with white letters attached to light poles throughout Grant Park and along DuSable Lake Shore Drive from Oak Street to Fullerton Avenue and Montrose to Foster Avenue. These markers help individuals provide their exact location if emergency assistance is needed.

To assist with preparedness efforts during these events, OEMC recommends downloading its mobile app for safety information, emergency alerts, weather updates, forecasts, radar data, and more through Apple App Store or Google Play Store or by visiting Chicago.gov/OEMC.

"OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies." The office also advises checking local media for real-time updates before heading out.

Residents seeking further emergency preparedness information are directed to visit Chicago.gov/OEMC or follow OEMC on Facebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social), or Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).