Chicago Marathon

Chicago Marathon

Logo for the Chicago Marathon.
Date October 8, 2017
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Event type Road
Distance Marathon
Established 1977
Course records M: 2:03:45 (2013 – Dennis Kimetto)
F: 2:17:18 (2002 – Paula Radcliffe)
Official site chicagomarathon.com

The Chicago Marathon is a major marathon held yearly in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Alongside the Boston, New York, London, Berlin, and Tokyo Marathons, it is one of the six World Marathon Majors.[1] Thus, it is also an IAAF Gold Label race. The Chicago Marathon is the fourth-largest race by number of finishers worldwide.[2]

The October 9, 2016 running was the 39th anniversary of the race.[3] The first race was held on September 25, 1977 under the original name the Mayor Daley Marathon, which drew a field of 4,200 runners. The race has been held every year since, except in 1987 when only a half-marathon was run.[4][5][6] It is among the fastest growing marathon road races in the world, due in part to its largely fast and flat course which facilitates the pursuit of personal records and world record performances.[7] The race has achieved its elite status among marathons by developing relationship with sponsors who provide prize money to lure elite runners who have produced American and world record performances. Since 2008 the race has been sponsored by Bank of America, and is officially known as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

The race is limited to 45,000 runners and only runners who finish within 6½ hours are officially timed.[7] Those wishing to participate can register after either meeting a time qualifying standard or being selected through a general lottery.[8] Although the race has limited registration, exceptions include elite runners and charity representatives. Increasingly, local (e.g., Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital), national (e.g., American Cancer Society) and global (e.g., Global Business Assist, Team World Vision) charities and humanitarian organizations encourage sponsored participation in the event as a means of fund raising.[9][10]

History

The former logo before the current sponsor

The first marathon at the 1896 Games of the I Olympiad generated interest in the sport which led to similar races throughout most western countries and across the United States. While marathons sporadically occurred in New York City and St. Louis,[11] the Boston Marathon had established an annual marathon in 1897, soon to be followed by Chicago.[12] Beginning in 1905,[13] the Chicago Marathon (organized first by the Illinois Athletic Club 1905 to 1909, then sponsored by the Chicago Daily News after 1910) was held annually, with significant community and spectator support, until the early 1920s.[14]

First Chicago Marathon September 23, 1905. Louis Marks in the lead.

The First Chicago Marathon was run on September 23, 1905.[12] That first race began in Evanston and finished in front of a standing-room-only paying crowd at Washington Park race track. In a stunning upset, a reported 100,000 or more spectators watched Rhud Metzner come from behind to steal a late-race victory from the favored Louis Marks.[13] With that first race, the Chicago Marathon began an annual run of epic races that continued until the early 1920s on a revised course that largely resembles today's marathon route.[14] Over the years elite fields included Olympic champions, world records were continually sought, and the marathon continued to inspire Chicago communities and spectators until challenges of the early 1920s sidelined the event.[15]

It was not until the health consciousness of the 1960s that marathon growth gained traction in the eyes of the nation. Frank Shorter's 1972 Games of the XX Olympiad marathon victory represented the convergence of many middle-class American ideals.[16] Then the 1976 New York City Marathon, which was the first New York City Marathon to embrace the five borough course, popularized the big city marathon. As the New York marathon began to grow exponentially in the 1970s, the Chicago Marathon was established as a rival to the New York City Marathon.[4] By the mid-1980s, the Chicago Marathon was ensconced as one of the big four marathons.[17] During the mid-1980s, it was named America's Marathon/Chicago and opened up the way for appearance payments. Joan Benoit Samuelson described the Chicago Marathon's of the mid-1980s as "The World's Marathon".[18] The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is an open race with no qualifying time to participate.[7]

The founding location of the Chicago Marathon is at 214 West Erie in River North.

The Modern Era Chicago Marathon was founded over the objection of Ed Kelly, Chicago Parks Superintendent who refused permission to run in the parks or along the Lake Michigan lakefront. With the help of Lee Flaherty, the event's founder who operated out of Flair House in the Near North Side community area of Chicago,[19] Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley's support for the marathon was enlisted. Although Mayor Daley died, his successor Michael Anthony Bilandic approved the race and got Kelly on board. Michael Bilandic, a runner, and his wife actually passed out medals at the first marathon on September 25, 1977. This first edition of the modern Chicago Marathon was called the Mayor Daley Marathon.[20] Flaherty footed the bill for the first race, which had no sponsors. He again footed the bill in 1978 when the race was again called the Mayor Daley Marathon. In 1979, however, Beatrice Foods became the first race sponsor.

Evans Cheruiyot follows the course car (with clock) during his 2008 victory. The lead course car carries the current race time.

In the early years the Chicago Marathon was held in August.[21] It has from its inception with 4,200 runners and 2,128 finishers been one of the nation's largest marathons. The 2000 running was second only to New York.[22] The 1979 and 1980 events, however, continued to be gatherings of amateur runners. By 1982, the race finally had sufficient prize money to attract world class athletes. The 1982 was the first with world class times such as the 2:10:59 by Greg Meyer, the last American-born male to win the race.[16] By 1983, the Chicago Marathon had achieved its status as one of America's most important marathons. In 1984, Beatrice raised the purse to $250,000 ($50,000 more than New York's).[16] The race had become a legitimate rival to New York and continues to vie for top runners. The 1985 race was spectacular with Steve Jones breaking his own course record (2 seconds short of the world record) and Joan Benoit Samuelson the 1984 Olympic Champion, two-time defending Chicago Marathon Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist, Rosa Mota and the fourth place Olympic finisher and world record setting Ingrid Kristiansen. Benoit set a record that stood nearly a generation. At that time, it was considered the premier marathon in the United States, if not the world.[23] Although 1986 had 40 world-class runners among the 8,000 participants the times paled in comparison.[24] Beatrice dropped out as a sponsor in 1987. Because of this only a half-marathon race was held that year[6] and the marathon was moved to the spring of 1988[25] and attracted Heileman Brewing Company to sponsor the 1988 Old Style Chicago Marathon.[26] The race resulted in three women who had been passed over for the 1988 Games of the XXIV Olympiad placing in the top positions.[27] In 1991, Heileman discontinued its sponsorship and both the prize money and performances waned.[28] In 1992, the race again had no sponsorship, but 1993 brought new sponsor LaSalle Bank.[29] In 1994, the race became the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.[30] In 1996, LaSalle Bank purchased the Chicago Marathon from Major Events, Inc., who had purchased the race three years prior from Flaherty.[31][32] In 1998, the race began using transponder timing.[33] In 2001, when Catherine Ndereba broke the women's world record marathon time, both the men's and women's then-current world records had been set at the Chicago Marathon.[34] For 2008, the race was sponsored by Bank of America following the purchase of LaSalle Bank from ABN Amro to Bank of America, and the new title will be in use.[35]

2007 Chicago Marathon temperatures.

In 2007 Bank of America acquired LaSalle Bank's parent company ABN AMRO North America in 2007 and assumed the races title sponsorship.[36][37] The 2007 race made history with the first ever CEO Marathon Challenge. The race featured a special competition among the CEOs, presidents, company owners and c-suite executives of companies with at least $5 million in annual gross revenue ($2.5 million for women).[38] The 2007 race also made history for having three (men's, women's & men's wheelchair) of its four races decided in the final 100 meters in a day of record setting heat.[39] The race was partially shut down early (after three and a half hours) as temperatures rose to an unseasonably hot 88 °F (31 °C), which surpassed both the temperature records for the Chicago Marathon and official Chicago records for October 7.[40] Over 10,000 registrants chose not to run in the record temperatures, while 10,934 people did not finish (many were called after the course closed early for safety).[5][39][41] One runner died, over 30 were hospitalized, and over 400 others sought medical attention. Marathon owner and sponsor Bank of America, which had just acquired LaSalle Bank, has denied culpability. Similar hot conditions have been experienced in other city centre races. In London in 2003 The British 10K also had extremely hot weather that affected many runners.[41][42]

Course

Chicago Marathon start/finish in Grant Park (2006)

The marathon course is a loop course, starting and ending at Grant Park. From here, the current course winds through 29 of the city's neighborhoods.[43] The course loop can be generally divided into three sections: North, West, and South. Near each of these directions, three of the city's main stadiums are nearby at their turning points. Wrigley Field is near the north. The United Center is to the west. US Cellular Field is to the south. On the other hand, Soldier Field is located near the start/finish area.

For the first three miles, runners wind through Chicago's downtown area. Eventually, they head north along LaSalle Street.

Runners are supported by over 12,000 volunteers[44] spread throughout the course including at 20 aid stations[45] located approximate every 1–3 miles.[46] For runners in distress, aid station volunteers include medical staff and ambulatory services are scattered throughout the course.

Digital timers are positioned every 5 kilometers, as well as the halfway point.

Runner statistics

Chicago Marathon Finishers (2000–present)
Total finishers and by gender
Year Finishers Male Female Avg Finish Time
2000 27,870 16,802 11,068 4:21:46
2001 28,390 17,129 11,261 4:19:28
2002 31,093 18,111 12,982 4:19:51
2003 32,395 18,720 13,675 4:25:09
2004 33,033 19,073 13,960 4:26:53
2005 32,995 18,673 14,322 4:26:22
2006 33,618 18,904 14,714 4:25:02
2007 28,815 16,945 11,870 4:52:11
2008 31,343 17,675 13,668 4:46:30
2009 33,475 18,983 14,492 4:27:20
2010 36,159 19,973 16,186 4:43:48
2011 35,670 20,256 15,414 4:40:34
2012 37,455 20,688 16,767 4:32:02
2013 39,122 21,618 17,504 4:32:23
2014 40,801 22,299 18,502 4:33:03
2015 37,182 20,144 17,038 4:33:14
Source:[47]

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has grown significantly from its beginnings. In 1905, 20 runners registered for the first Chicago Marathon, 15 actually started the race, and 7 finished.[15] For the first "modern" marathon race in 1977, just over 1,000 people signed up for the race, with expected numbers of just 200–300.[48] In 1995, 9,000 people registered, and in 1999, over 29,000 people registered. The 2001 marathon run on October 7 reached its cap of 37,500, which was instituted after the 2000 race drew 33,171 runners,[49] just prior to the entry deadline on September 19.[50] In 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 it reached its cap of 40,000.[4][51] The October 10, 2004, October 9, 2005 and October 22, 2006 races reached their 40,000 entrant caps on August 16, July 14, and May 26 respectively.[51][52][53] On April 18, 2007, the 2007 race run on October 7 reached its cap of 45,000 entrants.[54] There was a late registration exemption whereby elite runners (marathon times of less than 2:31/3:01 or half marathon times of 1:11/1:21 for (men/women)) could register until September 1 even though the race had reached its registration cap in the spring.[55] The 40,000 registrants and 33,000 finishers in 2003 made the Chicago Marathon the third or fourth largest marathon depending on which metric (registrants or finishers) is used.[56]

The Chicago Marathon is entered by predominantly Caucasian entrants from middle- to upper-middle-class affluence with a wide range in age and near equality in the sexes.[7] The Chicago Marathon has never excluded women. Historically, however, the women's field has been smaller than the men's. This seems to be the result of older age categories having large multiples of men to women, but the women are beginning to outnumber the men in the 20s age group of the field.[57]

Records

World records have been broken at Chicago four times.[58] In 1984, Steve Jones broke the world record with 2:08:05. In 1999, Khalid Khannouchi was the first to surpass 2:06:00 with 2:05:42. The women's record was broken in two consecutive years. In 2001, Catherine Ndereba broke the record in 2:18:47, and Paula Radcliffe surpassed that mark with 2:17:18 the year after.

Radcliffe's world record is also the course record; while the men's record is 2:03:45, set in the 2013 race by Dennis Kimetto.[59]

Economic impact

Much of the marathon's impact is derived from the tourism industry. More than 10,000 of the runners in 2010 have indicated that it was their first visit to Chicago. Of that, 6,000 have come from 100 countries. Due to the travelers, the event increases hotel occupancy rates during the marathon. In the 2009 edition, the marathon contributed $150 million worth of activity. The local economy produced 1,310 jobs.[60]

Charity program

Although entrants have registered on a first-come first-served basis and elite runners have an extended deadline, numerous official charities have additional late registration rights to award. The 2007 event had 85 charity partners. The 2006 event raised US$9.2 million for charity.[9] Charity fundraising is now closely intertwined with the event as the runners now raise money for research, aid the suffering and heighten public awareness of different causes.[61] The marathon offers all registrants the opportunity to sign up to run with a charity partner. The marathon recognizes four levels of charities based on the number of participants recruited.[62] The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society required participants to raise $1,400 to be a team member in 2004.[63] Children's Memorial Hospital has a $500 requirement.[64] This program has existed since 2001.[65] 2013 marked the first year ever (since data was available in 2002) that the total number of charities had dropped, however the number of participants and the amount of funds raised continued to climb.

The 2005 LaSalle Bank ABN Amro Chicago Marathon at Grand Avenue passing under Michigan Avenue (Chicago) along the Magnificent Mile.
Year Charity
Count 		Charity Runner
Count 		Funds Raised
2001 7 NA NA
2002 14 1,674 $2,950,000
2003 19 2,527 $4,540,000
2004 29 2,449 $4,740,000
2005 43 3,000 $6,317,000
2006 60 4,500 $9,500,000
2007 85 6,600 $9,985,482
2008 110 6,745 $9,209,000
2009 123 8,768 $10,183,855
2010 150 9,842 $12,109,000
2011 162 10,192 $13,400,000
2012 170 10,693 $15,300,000
2013 140 10,712 $15,000,000
2014 195 10,000 $17,700,000
2015 172 10,000 TBD
Source: 2015 Chicago Marathon Media Guide[66]

Deaths

References

  1. ↑ "World Marathon Majors". World Marathon Majors. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  2. ↑ http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-chicago-marathon-economic-impact-1006-biz-20161005-story.html
  3. ↑ "Registration". Chicago Marathon. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Suozzo, p. 6.
  5. 1 2 Karnes,Korey, "Running Wild," Chicago Social, October 2007, p. 68.
  6. 1 2 "Chicago Marathon at a Glance". Runners World. September 23, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Suozzo, p. 10.
  8. ↑ Douglas, Scott (January 16, 2014). "Chicago Marathon Switches to Lottery for Registration". RunnersWorld.com. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Marathon raises record amount". Chicago Sun-Times. December 21, 2006. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Team World Vision". Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  11. ↑ Suozzo, pp. 4–5"
  12. 1 2 Britt, pp. 7–9.
  13. 1 2 Britt, pp. 9–14.
  14. 1 2 Britt, pp. 15–22.
  15. 1 2 Britt, pp. 9–22.
  16. 1 2 3 Suozzo, p. 22.
  17. ↑ Treadwell, p. 188
  18. ↑ Treadwell, p. 64.
  19. ↑ Toomey, Shamus (August 7, 2007). "Lee Flaherty". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2007.
  20. ↑ Jacob, Mark; Benzkofer, Stephan (October 11, 2011). "10 things you might not know about running". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Ritter, Jim (October 6, 2002). "How marathons can kill you". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 29, 2007.
  22. ↑ Suozzo. pp. 19–21.
  23. ↑ Coat, Tom (October 23, 1985). "New York City Marathon feels chill of Windy City times". Evening Tribune. Newsbank. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  24. ↑ Suozzo, p. 23.
  25. ↑ Hersh, Phil (July 1, 1987). "Chicago Marathon Moves To Spring". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  26. ↑ Suozzo, p. 24.
  27. ↑ Suozzo, p. 25.
  28. ↑ Suozzo, p. 28.
  29. ↑ Suozzo, p. 29.
  30. ↑ Suozzo, p. 30.
  31. ↑ Suozzo, p. 31.
  32. ↑ Suozzo, p. 90.
  33. ↑ Suozzo, p. 33.
  34. ↑ "Women's Marathon Record Falls Quickly Ndereba Tops Week-old Mark In Chicago". Akron Beacon Journal. Newsbank. October 8, 2001. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  35. ↑ Archived October 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  36. ↑ "Bank of American Chicago Marathon Announces New Name, New Logo and Opening of 2008 Registration" (PDF). chicagomarathon.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 18, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Bank of America Agrees to Acquire LaSalle Bank". Bank of America. April 23, 2007. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  38. ↑ Caponi, Marianne (July 10, 2007). "Ceo Marathon Challenge To Take Place at the 2007 Lasalle Bank Chicago Marathon" (PDF). LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
  39. 1 2 "Ivuti, Adere win LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon". LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. October 7, 2007. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  40. ↑ "Deadly Heat at Chicago Marathon, 300 Injured". AccuWeather.com Community Blog. October 7, 2007. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  41. 1 2 Sylvan, Benjamin (October 7, 2007). "Runner Dies in Hot Chicago Marathon". AP Sports/AOL.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2007.
  42. 1 2 Wang, Andrew; Josh Noel; Shannon Ryan & Neil Milbert (October 7, 2007). "One dead in heat-shortened marathon". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  43. ↑ "Marathon Course Map" (PDF). Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  44. ↑ http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Chicago-Marathon-Thanks-Thousands-of-Volunteers-Read-Their-Names-396220881.html
  45. ↑ "Course & Amenities". ChicagoMarathon.com. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  46. ↑ "Aid Station Locations". ChicagoMarathon.com. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  47. ↑ "Marathon Guide: Chicago Marathon". MarathonGuide. 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  48. ↑ Archived March 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  49. ↑ "The Lasalle Bank Chicago Marathon Announces Registration Cap; Race will limit the field to 37,500 participants". Running Network. January 17, 2001. Archived from the original on September 4, 2007. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  50. ↑ "Marathon Hits 37,500 Cap on Final Day of Registration". Chicago Athlete. Running Network. September 24, 2001. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  51. 1 2 Lamppa, Ryan (August 16, 2004). "LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Reaches 40,000 Participant Cap". Cool Running. Cool Sports, Inc. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  52. ↑ Lamppa, Ryan (July 14, 2005). "LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Reaches 40,000 Participant Cap at Record Pace". Cool Running. Cool Sports, Inc. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  53. ↑ "The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon raises $9.2 million for affiliated charities". Chicago Athlete. Running Network. December 19, 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  54. ↑ Caponi, Marianne (April 18, 2007). "The 2007 Lasalle Bank Chicago Marathon Closes Registration: Race Reaches 45" (PDF). Chicagomarathon.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2007. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  55. ↑ "Registration". LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
  56. ↑ Suozzo, p. 14.
  57. ↑ Suozzo, pp. 12–13.
  58. ↑ "World Best Progressions : Road". Arrs.net. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  59. ↑ "Kimetto wins Chicago Marathon | Sport". 3 News. October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  60. ↑ "Running Together: Bank of America sees Chicago Marathon's real value in the true partnerships that delivers economic, charitable impact". Bank of America. September 26, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  61. ↑ Suozzo, p. 12.
  62. ↑ Suozzo, p. 126.
  63. ↑ Suozzo, p. 131.
  64. ↑ Suozzo, p. 208.
  65. ↑ "2006 Charity Program Overview" (PDF). The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2007.
  66. ↑ "Chicago Marathon Media Guide" (PDF). Chicago Marathon. October 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  67. ↑ Schlikerman, Becky (October 10, 2011). "Marathoner's death still a mystery after autopsy: North Carolina firefighter was 'in great shape,' father says". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  68. ↑ Schilken, Chuck (October 10, 2011). "Chicago Marathon: One runner dies, another gives birth (Updated)". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  69. ↑ "Autopsy: Man who died in Chicago marathon had heart condition". Midland Daily News. October 8, 2007. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007.
  70. ↑ Sweeney, Annie (October 14, 2003). "Autopsy can't explain why young marathoner died". Chicago Sun-Times. FindArticles. Retrieved July 29, 2007.
  71. ↑ Znidar, Mark (January 24, 2004). "Coach copes with wife's death". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2007.
  72. ↑ "Seattle man dies at Chicago Marathon". CNN/Sports Illustrated. October 7, 2001. Retrieved July 29, 2007.
  73. ↑ Smith, Bryan (October 25, 2000). "Danny J. Towns, 45, enjoyed running". Chicago Sun-Times. FindArticles. Retrieved July 29, 2007.
  74. ↑ Henderson, Joe (December 1998). "Running Commentary:Two-Wheel Tragedy". Michigan Runner. Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2007.

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