Sunday, October 7, 2007
Chicago Marathon
Chicago Marathon
Due to the rising heat index and higher than expected temperatures, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski and Medical Director Dr. George Chiampas, in cooperation with city officials, have implemented a contingency plan, as a precautionary measure, to effectively close the Marathon course at the halfway point. Runners who have not reached the halfway point by approximately 12:00 p.m. will be diverted back to Grant Park via Halsted and Jackson. Jackson will be closed to automobile traffic and the participants will be provided with additional support along this route. Participants who crossed the halfway point prior to the shut-down will continue to be fully supported along the standard course to the finish line. Participants are asked to take advantage of medical personnel, cooling buses, runner drop out buses, water, Gatorade and other means of support en route back to Grant Park.
Chicago Marathon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is a major marathon held yearly in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Alongside the Boston, New York, London and Berlin Marathons, it is one of the five World Marathon Majors . [1] The October 7, 2007 running was the 30th Anniversary running of the race.[2] It has been run every year since the September 25, 1977, under the original name the "Mayor Daley Marathon" drew a field of 4200 runners. [3][4] 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. [5] 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.
There is no qualifying time to participate in the Chicago Marathon, but only runners who finish within 6½ hours are officially timed. [5] The race is limited to 45,000 runners on a first-come, first-served basis. 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, British Red Cross, Asha_for_Education ) charities and humanitarian organizations encourage sponsored participation in the event as a means of fund raising. [6]
