45,000 Runners Prepare for the 2009 Chicago Marathon

A 26.2 Mile Course is the 2009 Chicago Marathon

Jolie du Pre
Chicago is home to many things, including their annual marathon. The 2009 Chicago Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2009.

The 2009 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Bank of America, is one of the most popular running events next to the Boston or New York marathons, for examples. The Boston Marathon requires runners to pass a qualifying test. However, the Chicago Marathon does not require passing a test to run, which makes it open to everyone.

A significant number of elite runners compete in the Chicago Marathon for the prestige and the prize money. Runners from all over rave about the Chicago Marathon as one place where the fans really get into the race. All along the 26.2 mile course you will find fans standing on the sidelines cheering everyone on.

There are 100 countries represented in the 2009 Chicago Marathon which begins at 7:30 A.M. Registration for the Chicago Marathon closes quickly, so runners who are interested in running the marathon next year are advised to register early. Food passed out along the way to runners includes things like bananas and Gatorade. People who have worked the Chicago Marathon in the past have been treated to free jackets and other gifts.

Some of the past Chicago Marathon winners have included Deena Kastor and Joan Benoit Samuelson. World class runners finish the race in less than two and a half hours. The slowest people in the race must be done around 2 PM when the 6 ½ hour race ends.

For those who are interested in running a marathon, there are recommended ways to practice for it. One of the best ways to practice for the Chicago Marathon is with an online training guide. One example of a recommended guide is the marathon training guide designed by runner Hal Higdon.

There have been at least five people who have died while running the Chicago Marathon. It is important to make sure that you are physically healthy and able to take on such a rigorous run.

Source:

"It's All Downhill From Here," Chicago Tribune (Print)
Chicago Marathon - Wikipedia

Published by Jolie du Pre - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment

Jolie du Pre is a full-time freelance writer, a published author and editor and a Featured Celebrity News Contributor. Contact her at joliedupre@gmail.com.   View profile

10 Comments

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  • Missy Jess 10/13/2009

    Great job! I want to run this marathon someday. I live in Minneapolis, so a drive to Chicago to run the marathon isn't *too* far. I ran the Twin Cities marathon last year -- what an experience!

  • Nikki 10/12/2009

    Good coverage on this event!

  • Jolynne M Hudnell 10/12/2009

    Great reporting on this!

  • smilinggreenmom 10/11/2009

    This is great advice for all of us novice runners! Thank you. I know just starting out how difficult and challenging it can be. I am a former swimmer and wanted to believe that I could just go out there and run around the block and feel great. Not so! I was very sore and pulled my back just stretching too hard. Thankfully I used my heating pillow and my Topricin pain cream and feel much better. But it just goes to show that even though we may think we can do things, we still need to be careful and start slow. Thank you again for a good article!!!

  • Brandon Miller 10/10/2009

    Great reporting!

  • Rebecca Caroll 10/10/2009

    My daughter is a beginning Cross country runner...wonder if she'll ever make it up there?

  • Abby Greenhill 10/10/2009

    its quite obvious my fingers were not working on that sentence!

  • Abby Greenhill 10/10/2009

    thnaks for the update Jolie! How aer you doing?

  • Betty Malone 10/9/2009

    I can't imagine how they keep that straight..so many runners!

  • ADSpencer 10/9/2009

    Great reporting. Thanks :)

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