LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon October 7, 2007

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is a long standing yearly fall Chicago tradition. The Marathon is one of the 5 world marathon majors and has been running since 1977 and celebrates it’s 30th anniversary this year. The Chicago Marathon celebrates running with over 45,000 runners from 120 countries and over 1 million spectators cheering on friends and family along the route. The event runs for 6.5 hours and everyone who can finish the 26 miles within that time, gets listed on their web site as an official finisher of the race. (about 73% of runners have finished the race in past years) The marathon runs 26 miles through some of the most significant, historical, notable and popular neighborhoods in the city.

The planning for each year’s marathon begins right after the previous one ends with the feedback from the runners and officials built into the next year’s plans by the very dedicated marathon race director Carey Pinkowski. See the entire chicago marathon course map here. The route has been revised over the years to accomodate construction and road conditions but has remained somewhat similar in the past few years. If you are not a runner and live in one of the neighborhoods they run though you will have to move your car off the course the night before (or they will tow it away, good luck getting it back later) as they set up barriers and probably stay in the house and avoid traffic and crowds unless you are part of or going to view the event. The Chicago Marathon starts at 8am in Grant Park and the barriers are usually gone and the roads clear again within a few hours of the runners passing by your home. If you are on the beginning of the route expect things to be clear again by noon. If you live by the end of the route give it a few more hours. If you are driving into the city from the suburbs, start early (6am) or avoid being on the roads this day. It can be a hellish day on I-90-94, I-290 and I-55.

 photo courtesy of Senor Codo

Runners usually start training for the marathon in spring as soon as the snow melts but I usually notice them running everywhere in the city and suburbs around late August and early September. There are programs for new marathon runners who have never run before that help you go from walking to running slowly over time. the most important thing about training is making time to do it. Trying to run the race without actually completing the recommended training is pretty dangerous. Occasionally someone does die while running the marathon, and 4 are on record. Mostly because of pre-existing health conditions. Hundreds of other runners, prepared and not prepared end up needing medical attention in or during the race. The marathon has 15 health aid stations for just this. Staying hydrated on such a long endurance run is also important, and they have fluids at all the aid stations as well.  

The day before the race everyone is required to pick up their race packet with instructions and their number at The LaSalle Bank Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, October 5 (9am-5pm) or Saturday, October 6 (9am-6pm) . The Expo is at McCormick Place, North Building (the big one by I-55), Exhibit Hall B1. 2301 South Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL. You may also notice that LaSalle bank rents out and custom paints a mural on the large brick building by 90-94 every year to promote and celebrate the event.

Many runners have begun to pair the marathon with pledge drives for local charities. Much like a breast cancer walk, the runners get pledges for the running they complete. All funds go direct to charity. I think that is great, but the real win is that you are in good enough physical shape and health to complete a long race like that. I can say definitely that I am not! But then again, I am not a runner. I do admire the professional competitive runners and the weekend warriors alike, they all are far better at it than I would be. Take some time to cheer them on in October.