Grassshopper

Participants paid $110 for a fully supported race. Every indication is it was not well supported. 40,000 register runners X $110? Do the math. A $4.4 million disaster!

LindainOhio

I was a spectator at the Chicago Marathon last weekend, my daughter ran her first marathon. She has done a couple half marathons, one was a Team in Training run. Our Akron Road Runner marathon was the week before. Perfect weather---beautiful day-- 56 degrees at the start--and we start at 7 a.m. My daughter flew in and did the long leg of our marathon team (I'm not on the team--but in charge of the pasta party and morning mimosas). Too bad that marathon wasn't this week--she could have run it.

She spent a fortune on this marathon. She trained with CARRA?? (Chicago Running Ass.)I think she paid $200 for that. Paid the entry fee last spring--$100. Was very faithful to the training schedule. A bit of physical therapy about a month ago for her knee... Three pairs of shoes...So much for running being a cheap sport. Doing a marathon was one of her goals. (I never encouraged this madness) On Saturday, she was happy that she was almost done with the whole marathon thing. As she says, it was impacting her social life. Thank heavens--could marathon running, even in good weather be good for our bodies? (Please don't be offended all you marathon runners)

She mentioned that CARRA distributed a book to all the marathon trainers that emphasized that you not depend on the marathon organizers for water. She wore a hydration belt and would add water and gatorade at each stop. That belt would have driven me crazy.

"The Penguin"--some writer/runner for Runners World, spoke the day before at the Expo and encouraged everyone to drop their pace times. My daughter was training at a 4:30 pace but dropped to the 5:30 pace. She didn't care about her time.

The flight into Chicago and the train ride in were filled with runners--and running talk. Even I got a bit excited. Most of these runners had been training since the Spring.

The Expo was pretty impressive. We watched the video of last years runners and spectators in sweatshirts, hats, gloves--cold and wet--looked pretty miserable. Lots and lots of "running things" at the Expo.

We had a great time being spectators. So much fun and lots and lots of spectators-lots more than the Akron marathon. Part of our run gooes through a park where there is not much room for spectators. We started at the 7 mile/8 mile markers--only a couple blocks apart. The cheerleaders at 8 were a sight to behold. Lots of runners stopped into the CVS on the corner--maybe just cooling off?? Didn't hear about a lack of water here.

Onto the el and a stop at the 14/16 mile, another couple blocks apart. Our daughter is still doing great and laughing. My husband jumps in and runs with her--will meet me in Chinatown. They mention that the water stop was chaotic and there was a problem with water.

At Chinatown, the dragon is there at the turn. Lots of people and runners still coming by. My cell phone rings and my daughter is sobbing. I can't understand a word she says. Scared me to death. The runners were diverted before mile 18 and were at the finish line, which she said was a mess. They have runners coming in from different directions. About 6 runners--my daughter included, actually had contemplated finishing the run themselves, but weren't sure of the route and wondered if they would find water. Plus it wouldn't be quite the marathon experience, if they were running alone.

They mentioned how great the spectators were. The ones on Jackson, got their hoses out and hosed down the runners. Lots provided water and ice. The fire hydrants were opened to cool the runners. They did mention lots of runners collapsing. You could hear lots of sirens--pretty scary.

Our daughter finished with a time of 4:02. Several friends called after seeing her time in the Tribune---happy that she was able to finish, amazed at her time.

Of the 45,000 registered runners, only 35,000 started and only 25,000 finished. Our daughter is included in those that finished so how many really completed the whole marathon? My daughter was furious with the Chicago organizers. After 6 months of training, staying healthy, no injuries--you are excited to run.

It's only human nature to want to blame someone. It seems to me that it would have been easy to change the race start to 7am. They had forecast 85-90 degree temps all week. They also had to know that runners would need 3 glasses of water and some of the water would be used to douse themselves. They did have some misters along the way but they had mentioned on the news that they would provide air conditioned trailers to cool off in--never saw those.

The conditions were unusual but heat happens and hopefully all marathon organizers will look at this and have a plan that accommodates runners in all the various weather conditions they have to face. As a non runner, I can't figure why anyone would want to run a marathon, marathoners can't imagine not running--we're all different.

My daughter is now registered for the Columbus marathon--in 2 weeks--hopefully the weather will cooperate.

JJ5

Especially after LindainOhio's last post, I have to add:

On the radio this morning here featured- was repeats of Mayor D. stating in his usual sarcastic way, that runners should be knowledgeable at this level, and he totally refutes all "fault" re the city.

MY ex-DIL was in this exact marathon for the last 3 years, and I concur with the above opinion of marathon running, always have, it's EXTREME. Too extreme for body safety, and when you look at the long term human life, IMHO, it causes more harm than good.
Of course, some people disagree, but I want to talk to them again when they are 75 to see how they feel then.

It's obsessive and all things obsessive have their down sides. MY very beautiful ex-DIL is now with life long back problems, and after two operations (one to fuse, and then another much more serious when the vertabre below it herniated as well)- she has been told by 3 doctors to not run AT all, let alone a marathon.

And she still is running. But because she was going to be kicked out of out-patient program for eating disorders if she did this particular one- she didn't.

Everytime I hear about marathons, I think of the poem "Ode to an Athlete Dying Young"- because obviously the triumph in these ways re risks- well, it's nothing new.

GoTravel

I will say this and beachdweller can back me up on this.

I TRAIN in hotter weather than the Chicago Marathon. I get up on Saturday mornings in July at 4AM to run 15 mile runs and the heat index is still 92 degrees.

In weather like that, smart runners carry water with them and have people meet them with water.

If 25,000 people were able to finish the race, they were prepared for the heat.

JJ5

That's basically what Mayor Daley said, Go Travel, only he said it with his sarcastic lilt, and said nearly the exact same sentences you just posted.

Queenie

I want to add that it was not 87 degrees during the race. It was much hotter.

I passed 2 banks that had the temps at 94. Plus the second half of that race is fully in the sun, and you are running on blacktop with hordes of people around you – constantly brushing next to you.

I don't know what was meant by 'you cannot count on the marathon organizers for water'? I have never heard of that and I have run over 30 marathons. Its true that in training runs you make provisions with water drops and pit stops at the convenience store, but this is NOT standard procedure for a big, well known race. Its an embarrassment.

I had my water bottle with me, but you cannot physically carry the supply of water you will need for the whole race. I was lucky to have my husband provision me along the way. At one point I was so desperate I ran into an apartment building and pleaded with the doorman to let me fill my bottle from the tap in his restroom.

I think the organizers were right to cancel the run mid stream. I just wished we could have started at 5 am instead of 8am, and averted many of these problems.

And of those 25,000 'finishers', many did not run or walk 26.2 miles. Many were diverted and walked the shortest route to the finish. One of my friends got a medal and only completed 15 miles, and was counted as a 'finisher'.

MelissaHI

I'm sorry if I sounded offensive with the fact that I was not there. It seems, though, that with global warming making the weather swing wildly and uncharacteristically all over, it would have been hard for the organizing committee to plan for such a massively extreme crisis. It sounds like they TRIED to address the situation by warning runners and stock up on 200,000 more servings of water, but possibly failed in the number of volunteers and cups needed to accommodate. Unfortunately, this will serve as an example to organizers worldwide - to now consider the effect of global warming on their race.

But what about the marathon that has a surprise rainstorm? you end up with more runners wearing garbage bag ponchos...who toss them at the start. This results in more plastic bags littering the course in a concentrated area, making an already slippery street more so. Will that be blamed on organizers? It is human nature to want to blame someone and I'd be pissed if I was told to stop running at any point of the race, too. But we have no control over Mother Nature, more so now with the effects of global warming.

Although it's become mainstream, it really is an extreme sport. Not everyone is built for that kind of stuff...but people have come to think that everyone is. Or maybe these people want to explore the limits of human potential. Whatever it is, it IS a little nuts, I'll admit that. This probably opens the doors for added runner education so people truly understand the potential danger of extreme sports.

BTW, I also don't totally rely on the aid stations and I carry stuff and have people meet me along the way...no matter how much I paid to enter. You just never know! Race day is so unpredictable!

BTilke

Some people do very well running marathons even in the heat if they train properly and have the right stuff genetically. My brother started running them in high school and more than 3 decades later is still running them with no serious health consequences. Golf is harder on his back than running (and he's a very good golfer, just a couple of notches under pro level). In his prime, he was a consistent top 10-20% finisher in the NY Marathon.
He even ran from suburban Philadelphia to Center Valley, PA, just for the heck of it (check an atlas to see how far that is). In mid summer. (FWIW, a competitive biathlon is even more demanding even though it's held in winter...top participants need to consume 9000 calories a day just to maintain their weight, that's how much the sport burns off).
I have neither the physique nor desire suited to marathoning, so a 30 mile walkathon is the most I've ever done.

IMHO, too many people take up marathons who should stick to 10k runs. They're running for their ego, not their health.

However, these conditions make me wonder what this event will be like at the Olympics in China. It can be very hot and muggy there and the air pollution isn't going to help either.

Queenie

Melissa, I didn't take offense at your remarks. You are 100% correct that you can't count on the aid stations completely. I never expect any food, and carry my own. But you do expect some fluids the first 6-8 miles. If they cannot provide that, then tell me beforehand and I will make provisions. Its as simple as that, and I believe the organizers were negligent in that regard.

Another thing to remember is that this race markets itself to beginners. Most first time runners had no business being out there in that heat.

Yeah, maybe they do their 23 mile training run in 92 degree heat. But most training runs don't entail lining up 30 minutes before the start, then waiting in the corral for another 30 minutes before enough humanity has crossed the line so they can even start running. This is 1 hour of standing and dehydration before you even take the first step.

And I can tell you most folks in the 4:30 pace group did not have any water bottles, something an experienced runner with that weather forecast would not be without. No way.

Perhaps they should have organized a wave start. No doubt about it, this will be studied by every race organizer in the future.

I ran a marathon in the Sahara Desert years ago. It was over 100 degrees. And Chicago felt hotter!

LindainOhio

Queenie
I agree with you. The weather was not a complete surprise. The organizers knew for a week that the temperatures were going to be excessive---Runners need water. With a week to plan, you would think that they might have checked with the organizers of the Death Valley Run or other high temperature marathons on ways they distribute water. This was not the first marathon run in extreme heat.

MelissaHI

Wow! OK, running in the Sahara tops any of that!! But you see, that also shows that we runners can be a little nuts.


I'm lucky--I have done 14 marathons and have not gotten injured running. I got injured getting out of bed, though. Yet more proof that going to work is hazardous to your health!

Queenie

Just an FYI if you had friends or relatives that ran:

The Denver Marathon is waiving their entry fees for folks that were registered in the Chicago Marathon.

The Des Moines Marathon is offering discounted entry for those registered in the Chicago Marathon.

beach_dweller

Some very interesting perspectives.

JJ5, although I am an obsessive marathon runner (relatively new at it, 3 years of running seriously with my 4th marathon coming up in 2 weeks), I didn't take offense. I agree with you that marathons are not for everyone. Some people should not run them for health reasons (such as you ex-DIL). Some people should not run them because they do not train properly, do not take the distance seriously.

But some people can and do run marathons in a respectful and smart way. And it is a great way to stay healthy.

Queenie

Its been a year now, and the 2008 marathon starts in about 2 hours.

It will be another warm day. 70 degrees at the start with a high of 81. I am very nervous about the heat.

I am eating my oatmeal and wonder if many of the other 45,000 runners are going through similar rituals.

Anyone else out there in Fodorville running with me?

NeoPatrick

Interesting. We were in Chicago from Tuesday, Sept. 30 until this past Tuesday, Oct. 7. We were looking for some nice fall sweater weather and got more than we bargained for. From Tuesday until Sunday, I'm not sure it ever got above 60, maybe just above. Hard to imagine it's all the way back up to 81 today! Too bad the marathon wasn't last weekend!

Queenie

Another Chicago Marathon morning.

We are under a Freeze warning!
The TV says its 31F.

Quite a difference from the past 2 years where the race was in the 80's / 90's.

I am choking down my oatmeal. The race start time is now 7:30 - moved up since the 2007 fiasco.

I must say last year the race was run to perfection. Beautifully organized with no drama, and the temps were similar to the 2007 race.

So we'll see what happens now that its chilly. Most of the race will be run in the 30's and lower 40's. No rain predicted. And not too much wind, thankfully.

Anyone else out there getting ready to run?

nytraveler

Obviously the organizers can;t control the weather. BUT, they could have added a lot more water stations. They should also have warned runners of the conditions and had more ambulances there.

However, these runners are adults - and presumably know something about their own bodies. People who chose to push themselves beyond their abilities also need to take rsponsibility for the results.

I recall champion marathioners dropping out at the Greece Olympics because they just couldn;t deal with the heat. Every runner should have that much sense.

nytraveler

Sorry -

That's why the NYC marathon is n early Nov. And if the temp is over 50 that's considered "hot" and they add even more stations - as well as having them starting only about a mile after the start of the race.