marathon preps

Like many of you, I'm training for the Chicago marathon in the fall.  In fact, I'm planning a 20 miler tomorrow morning.  I always feel that when you get to that point you have done the work, and it's a nice feeling, that you should be able to finish it without a problem.  I'm figuring on doing two or three 20 milers before the race.

In any case, since that is where my head is at right now, I thought it would be a good time to talk to the head person at the LaSalle Banks Chicago marathon.  Carey Pinkowski is not only the race director, but an accomplished marathoner himself.  He was the Indiana state cross country champion, and has run 2:20 in the Chicago marathon (before he was involved in it).  And he was a fan of the race loing before he became race director.  Under his guidance over the last 16 years, the race has grown from near extinction, to an event that sold out before most training programs had even begun this spring.

I'm reading a book about the history of the Chicago marathon right now by Andrew Suozzo.  I'm interviewing him during our Sunday morning show on Channel 7.  Anyway, it's got me up on some of the background of the race.  It's also been a look back for me.  I remember watching Steve Jones run the world record here on television.  And I remember running the race in 1995 with about 12,000 others.  The last time I ran was two years ago, and it was sold out.  It's been amazing to watch the growth year to year.

Carey says about two-thirds of the runners are now from outside Chicago, and about 5,000 are from out of the country.  It's really become a major tourist destination race.  Last year it was the top grossing hotel and restaurant weekend in Chicago. He believes they had to turn away about 10,000 applicants this year.  He's firm on holding at 40,000 runners though because he wants to make sure he can provide a good experience for everyone, and he believes 40,000 is the threshold.

That brings up another subject.  The last few years the race has been in early October, on Columbus day weekend.  This year it's moved back to October 22.  Carey says it's because the city asked him to do it to help fill the hotels that weekend.  The city has been supportive of the race, so it's the least he can do.  He has it scheduled back to Columbus day weekend after this year though.  I asked him whether he was concerned about the weather later in October, and he laughed.  He realizes the race has been blessed with remarkably good weather almost every year.  He says it may be a little colder on the 22nd, but some people have been concerned that it was too warm in earlier October because of Indian summer.  That probably means he's going to get perfect weather once again.

As far at the field, he's still working on some of the professionals.  Felix Limo is going to be back to defend his men's title.  Deena Kastor is going to try New York this year, after winning Chicago last year, but there will be a strong women's field.  The race has a history of launching great runners, and Carey has a reputation for discovering talent.  4-time winner (and former world record holder) Khalid Khannouchi is the best example, and Evans Rutto also ran a world debut record here.  So maybe we will be introduced to another new star this year.

I expect to share some of the rest of my chat with Carey in future blogs.  And in the coming weeks, I plan to have some training tips from some of the top coaches in the area.  So stop back, and if you get a chance, take at look at the interview with Andrew Suozzo on Sunday morning.

Til then, see you on the roads.

Comments

[Noah Powers]

I really enjoyed learning a bit of the insider history of the race and developers from your blog. I had the wonderful opportunity to run the Paris Marathon in 2004 and loved the mega-marathon experience. I am from the northern Midwest and knew as soon as I returned to the US I had to run the Chicago Marathon. I agree with you and the race director that 40,000 racers is the MAX amount. Any more than that and you would get a horrible time unless you got a placement spot. Looking forward to running Chicago in 10 more weeks!

[Justin Thomas]

I am training for my first marathon. I am looking forward to reading your training tips. It's cool to follow other runner's progress. My training is always easier when I run with friends, so keep us all posted!

[rdbailey92]

Thanks for having a blog that can help runners with training tips. I will be running my first marathon in October.