Sunday, October 8, Bank of America sponsored the 45th edition of the annual Chicago Marathon. Nearly 50,000 runners from all over the U.S. and more than a hundred countries took place in the event. These athletes ran 26.2 miles through 29 of Chicago’s neighborhoods, finishing the race in Grant Park. More than a million spectators and supporters were there to cheer the racers in.
History of the Chicago Marathon
In 1977, the first annual marathon took place in Chicago’s downtown. The marathon came to be by five founders, including the mayor at the time Michael Bilandic, and the original race director Wendy Miller. The first race hosted around 4,200 participants, making it the largest race in the US during that time. It was originally named the Mayor Daley Marathon, in honor of Mayor Daley who Bilandic succeeded.
The 1977 male winner was Dan Cloeter, who finished the race at 2:17:52. While the female winner was Dorothy Doolittle who finished at 2:50:47. The success of the debut race paved the way for other running initiatives. Such as, how Bilandic turned an equestrian trail into a five-mile running path. This same path then grew into the beloved 18-mile lakefront lake path.
The Chicago Marathon in 1982 for the first time awarded the first place runners prize money, attracting even more attention. In 1982, male winner Greg Meyer finished with a time of 2:10:59 and the female division winner Nancy Conz’s time was 2:33:23, they both took home $12,000. However, in 2023 winners in each race take home $100,000 for breaking the tape, while breaking a course record or world record will earn a runner $50,000. Wheelchair division racers take home $25,000 for first place and can win $50,000 for a course win.
The 2023 Race
The October 8 marathon started on Columbus and Monroe Drive in Grant Park and ended on Columbus Drive in Grant Park. With the course being, “pancake flat,” it makes for fast times, healthy competition, and record-breaking.
Such as 23-year-old Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, who broke the world record in the male’s category. This is the sixth time in the history of the Chicago Marathon that a world record has been set! Kiptum finished the race with a time of 2:00:35. Breaking the previous world record of 2:01:09 set by fellow marathoner Eliud Kipchoge by 34 seconds. The Nike-sponsored athlete took home the winning prize of $100,000 as well as a 50,000 bonus for setting a new course and world time.
For the women’s division, Sifan Hassan with her time clocking in at 2:13:44, just shy of the women’s world record time of 2:11:53 set just last month in Berlin by Megertu Alemu. Hassan also won $100,000 for first place in the women’s division and a 50,000 course record bonus.
For the wheelchair division, Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race and broke his own course record. While for the women’s wheelchair race, Catherine Debrunner won and also broke a course record. Both athletes took home $25,000 for winning first and a $50,000 bonus for breaking course records.
Although the marathon generates attention and revenue from locals and tourists, some find it to be a hassle to deal with. With roadblocks and detours blocking streets and parkways even days before the race.
Chicago Marathon’s Street Closures
Due to the race’s length and the sheer amount of those participating, many streets will have to be closed for the day of the marathon. Some closures were put into effect days before. There were 40 parking lots and streets closed for the race.
Written by AriAnna Rathers
Sources:
WGNZ– With politics, protest and passion, the city’s first marathon is ‘a uniquely Chicago story’
Runner’s World– Everything You Need to Know About the Chicago Marathon
NBC Chicago– City announces which streets will close, and which will stay open for the Chicago Marathon
Sportico– KENYA’S KELVIN KIPTUM BREAKS WORLD RECORD AT CHICAGO MARATHON 2023
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of jcsullivan24’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Steve Conger’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
