This is a race recap I never thought I would be writing in the second week of October. Due to heat, the Chicago Marathon was essentially canceled during the race! You heard me correctly. Runners were told to get off the course, or walk to the finish!This marked the 30th running of the Chicago Marathon, and in the previous 30 years they had never seen a day this hot. From start to finish the race was hot. It was so hot that at 11:30 the race officials began rerouting runners who had not hit the half way point back to the finish. This caused a few traffic issues as you might imagine. The photo above shows literally thousands of runners trying to cross roads with plenty of traffic.
Fortunately our two RMEC runners were well ahead of the rerouting, and were able to complete the course. This was not without experiencing some interesting events. To combat the heat the city of Chicago opened up the hydrants to turn some of the roads into an enormous slip-and-slide. And at mile 20, the fire trucks were announcing "Attention runners, the marathon has been canceled. You can stop running now."In her first marathon, Jenni did great, finishing in 4:46:56. Not far behind was Patti with a time of 5:29:30. Now let's be honest, neither Jenni or Patti reached their time goal, but what they accomplished is truly amazing! 24,950 runners finished a race that 45,000 registered for. Patti and Jenni are proud to be two of those that finished.
Over time, this race will become legendary. Runners will say, "Do you remember Chicago 2007? Wow! What a year. . ." Having a 2007 finishers medal will be something special. Both could have jumped on a bus and taken an air conditioned ride back to the finish, but they didn't. . . they finished the 2007 Chicago Marathon!Great job ladies!
Great job on a "HOT" day, ladies!!! Determination...thats what its all about. Way to go!!
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing clips on TV I can only say what a committment to finish and with awesome results!! Congratulations to both!!!
ReplyDeleteLarry M.
Great job and great distinction ! What a hot year this has been.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!! We all know what it's like to run on a hot day . . . but a marathon!! Way to go!!
ReplyDeleteFrank L.
Way to go ladies!!!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome it is to say you were in the crowd that finished!!
Great job! You guys are awesome.
ReplyDeleteCertainly this one will be memorable. What's up with all this hot race weather? Wow!
That first photo was actually the people that were re-routed back to the finish. It is truly a day that I will always remember. I have new respect for the diatance in HOT weather. One must prepare and know your limits. I can write a race re-cap later. Thanks for the positive thoughts!!!
ReplyDeleteWay to go ladies! I thought last year in Richmond was hot. I sure hope Richmond's 30th anniversary isn't as hot as Chicago's 30th anniversay.
ReplyDeleteWay to show what "endurance" means. Sometimes, you have to endure the circumstance AND the race, and you both did. Great job, and glad you're both back safe and sound.
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