Chicago Marathon Next Week

This is always an exciting time of year for me. First of all, it's fall, but second of all, it's Chicago Marathon time. 40,000 runners dash through a 26.2 mile course which covers a great deal of the city neighborhoods. 1.2 million people line up on the streets and cheer the runners on.

Next Sunday world class runners, and first time marathoners will line up in Grant Park, and begin a journey which will lead them back to the park. Along the way they will pass through neighborhoods welcoming them in their own unique style. Here in the Lakeview area(my neighborhood) gay and lesbians will welcome the runners in drag, or perform drill routines. The water station in our area routinely wins the water station award as the most fun.

The runners get a kick out of the costumes and shows put on for them in our area. In turn, some of these runners are in costumes themselves. For a couple of years now I have seen a guy in a cow costume run the marathon. There is also a juggler, who goes from marathon to marathon juggling all the route.

Here is how it usaully goes...the elite runners come through first. This year Deena Kastor, the Olympic Marathon Bronze Medalist is hoping to break the American record in this race. The men's champion, Evans Rutto, will defend his title against top competition like Alan Culpepper and Timothy Cherigat.

Along with and behind the elite field are the wheelchair athletes. They are amazing to watch as well. They get a warm welcome from the crowds.

Then we get the pack. These folks range from serious runners to first timers. Many run for charity. The National AIDS Marathon - http://www.aidsmarathon.com/ has Chicago as one of their races. Teams in Training races to fight Leukemia - http://www.teamintraining.org/hm_tnt . Millions are raised through races like this.

I will be out cheering next Sunday. These runners are a huge inspiration to me.

For more information on the race go to - http://www.chicagomarathon.com/

:-)Charlie