Chicago Marathon

The Chicago Marathon, officially known as the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, takes place every October in Chicago. It is the biggest loop road race worldwide. After a small start of 1,000 runners, in May 1977, the race now caps its numbers at 45,000. Unlike the Boston Marathon, there is no qualifying time restriction for entry.

The Chicago Marathon is a race whose past was uncertain. It began as a small event under the encouragement of then Mayor Bilandi. In its early days, the Chicago Mayor Daley Marathon suffered from sponsorship problems. In 1987, the event was suspended due to lack of sponsors. The organizers started the Chicago Half Marathon, instead.

The Marathon returned the following year and the Half Marathon stayed. The two events are two halves of a successful marathon weekend. The Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon, produced by the Illinois Agents of Farmers’ Insurance and the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, sponsored since 1994, are now premiere racing events.

The advent of sponsor means cash rewards for the Chicago Marathon are presented to winners of the races. The amounts vary according to the year. This is in addition to the money charities raise from runners entering the events. Like other marathons, the Chicago Marathon is a charitable event.

	More Info

A Chicago Marathon map indicates the basic route for the marathon. The route is a circular loop course, starting and ending on Columbus Drive, in Grant Park. The Chicago Marathon route map also indicates the route is a simpler one than that of the Boston Marathon. The Chicago Marathon route is flat. An elevation map of the Chicago Marathon reveals there are no challenging hills to run up. This allows the possibility of setting record times.

The Chicago Marathon course has been the site of many exciting races and interesting events. On a sunny morning the start of the 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon featured 33,125 runners representing 121 countries. The winners that day were Evans Rutta of Kenya completing his second consecutive win in a time of 2:06:16 and Constantina Tomescu-Dita in 2:23:45. The 2005 Chicago Marathon photos show Felix Lino of Kenya winning the male event while American favorite, Deena Kastor, came in at 2:21:25.

There are questions about Oprah running the Chicago Marathon. She did compete in the Marine Corps Marathon in October 1994. As a result, the equation Oprah Winfrey + Chicago Marathon time, is frequently cited by neophytes as a goal to surpass when they run the Chicago Marathon course. There is no doubt, however, that Oprah is supportive of the Chicago Marathon.

The 2007 Chicago Marathon takes place on October 7. If you punch in a discount code + 2007 Chicago Marathon, you may receive some unheard of benefits. Alternatively, check out the Chicago Marathon website.