2009 Chicago Marathon – a spectator’s perspective
I watched (in person) parts of the Chicago Marathon today with Steven, his brother Andrew, and Diane. What a fun experience it was! We arrived at the almost 8 mile mark just in time to see the elite runners. I was super giddy when I saw them run by, in their tight little pack. (Click on pictures to enlarge)
Elite Men Runners
I wasn’t sure if they would look that fast in person. But damn, they looked fast. And holy crap, Sammy Wanjiru set a new course record of 2:05:41!!!!
Elite Men Runners
Elite Men Runners
They look like galloping animals to me.
Elite Women Runners
We had a lot of fun cheering for all of the runners. I’m so happy Diane joined us. I think we made pretty good cheerleaders – I am surprised I still have my voice right now though!
Diane and me
I was really (foolishly?) hoping I would see my friends who are running. I even made signs for them! (Yes, my lettering sucks)
Trying to cheer for Mica
Trying to cheer for Presi
Trying to cheer for Jamie
Trying to cheer for Eric
But the course was so ridiculously crowded. We even went down to the 22 mile mark, after we cheered on the last runners through mile 8, and I still didn’t see anyone I knew. Unless that was you Mica, wearing two braids. I swear it was you… but you had a hat on, and I couldn’t see your face?
Super crowded course
Watching this race made me think A LOT about whether or not I want to run it next year. I love that so many people from Chicago (and probably around the world) are out there cheering and showing so much support! But, whoa, the course looked SO crowded. I think if I run Chicago, I will definitely want to do it with Steven or a friend (to keep me sane). And if people are watching for me, I will ask to know where they will be, what side of the street they will be on, and try to wear something fun so they can identify me (maybe like one of the photos below?).
Seeing all of the different types of runners and all the community support today was so inspiring. Being able to be there, cheering, made me feel less sad that I can’t run right now (yeah, way to make it all about me). I recommend cheering runners on in a local race if you can (especially if it’s a big one like this) – it’s so fun!
Random funny photos:
Themocracy
Yay!! Great photos. Thanks for inviting me! 🙂
Cool pictures! I like the one of the elite women runners because they’re all floating a few inches off the ground. Great shot!
The Austin marathon goes right in front of our old house! So I had front row seats for the marathon each year. It was kinda cool, I’m not really a morning person though, and year after year the novelty started to wear off. A few bike races each year would also go down our street. The dogs loved this. We would tie them up in the front yard so they could bark their heads off.
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I don’t like huge races that much — it’s hard to run in traffic and harder to find anyone after. But there is something kind of exciting about being part of something so big.
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Thanks for cheering for me! THat was awesome!
I am so mad I missed you! No one has made me a sign before! That was so cool! Very cool you came to the city to cheer us all on.
This race is ridiculously crowded and I wished I had someone to jump in with me, especially the later miles. There is no other race like it (well maybe NY but I can’t compare). I highly recommend running it at least once. And if I am still here and running I will definitely jump in with you.
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The big marathons are fun! People do much more crazy stuff (as you can tell just by comparing Wisconsin to Chicago). I was able to see my family when I ran Chicago by knowing kind of where they would be (mile markers), my dad wearing a yellow shirt (note: orange is not going to stand out because of all the Illini/Bears fans!), and my fans had a sign with a picture of Testudo (Maryland’s mascot) on it, which was the only one like it. Definitely doable, and all the hype and spectators makes the big marathons more exciting and distracting if you need some help through the tough miles. I’ll be back to run Chicago sometime!
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I’ll do my Chicago Marathon spectating post tomorrow. 🙂
I arrived at 13, went to 17 and walked to Roosevelt and then to 26. I wasn’t sure about getting on the Orange line to hit up anything after 17. I did end up seeing 2 people I knew running though! Last year, I saw one person I knew, but wasn’t really in there to cheer for them.
I won’t run it. Ever. Mainly cause I want my family there and they won’t come up for it I’m sure and it was chaos in the morning at the start. And I’d be scared of tripping over someone heels. And this is a race to run WITH someone, it’s just that cool of a race. It’s one of the top 5 World Marathon Majors after all!!
Last year Kosh and I went a-walking in our neighbourhood while the Marathon was going on — what struck me was the loads of trash generated at the water and food points! Oh yes, and how crowded it was. … wasn’t it nice and warm last year? This past weekend was horrible here in Springfield: the car was frozen on Saturday morning!
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Awww, I’m so honored that you made me a sign! Sadly, I didn’t see you. If the fates align that you spectate and I race again, we’ll have to coordinate so I can look for you on a specific side of the road. (This worked with my parents.)
Sadly, I was not wearing two braids. I had my usual sweaty ponytail, looking hot, hahaha.
Thanks so much for coming out to support me, your friends, and everyone else! The spectators really, really helped!
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You are so sweet to make signs for your friends! My kids sometimes do that for me and as silly as it sounds, it is just so awesome and makes me so happy.
I have no idea how to train for a marathon, but if you decide to do it for next year, maybe I will too? That would be fun!
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That’s so cool! One of my coworkers is running a half marathon on Sunday so I’ll be there cheering her on. Maybe I should have the kids at school make posters for her, that would be cute!!
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Came to you through Jamie’s blog …
We werent too far apart at the race 🙂 I tried to get pics of that big worm and the pope & nun, but my hands were so frozen I couldnt get my gloves off and missed em. Good shots!
Another con I learned about the crowded race as a volunteer was the water/Gatorade stations. People wanted to walk through the stations, or even stop. Maybe to tie a shoe, maybe just because (like me) they cant drink and run. Well, the race is so crowded at points that the “fast” people are weaving trying to get through and they come tearing down by the water/gatorade because its a bit thinner. They literally run over the people walking through the aid station, or smack their beverage out of their hand (or the hand of the volunteer holding it out to them, assuming that they must want something to drink since they are running right for you!).
Nuts!
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It’s pretty awe-inspiring, isn’t it? When I watched last year I cried. This year, I teared up a little bit but then realized I was slowly freezing to death. It took me awhile to get into the spirit and cheer.
I missed the guy in the Pope outfit! And I also didn’t see any of the people I know who were running even though I was essentially standing in the same place for the entire race. Craziness!
.-= Author’s last blog post… Chicago Marathon Volunteer Report =-.
You are so sweet to make signs for your friends! My first marathon was here in Indy, and my parents and sister came out to cheer me on and made signs. It meant the WORLD to look over and see them cheering! (um…it was only a couple thousand runners, so I was easy to spot).
The Pope costume is hilarious! I can’t imagine running 26.2 with that hat. (Or whatever it is called?)
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