This past Saturday was the Chicago Marathon. Everything I have heard about it says it was a disaster. From record heat (88 degrees was the high with 75% humidity), closed water stations, others with no water/Gatorade and others with no cups (people were picking dirty cups off the ground just to get a drink!). The course was closed at the halfway mark for those not crossing it within 4 hours and even runners in the last couple miles were being told to walk and that the race was over. Unfortunately, hundreds were hospitalized and a fellow runner tragically lost his life on the course (due to a pre-existing heart condition).
I give so much credit to every runner that lined up and attempted to run. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult the conditions must have been both physically with the heat, but also mentally seeing so many people hurting and dropping out. I feel terrible for everyone who trained so hard over the last few months to have such unfortunate weather and poor race logistics.
It reminds all runners that we must listen to our bodies and not push beyond our limits. Luckily the weather for Saturday in Hartford looks much cooler, but its definitely sobering to hear these terrible stories.
1 comment:
I see that some future fall marathons are giving Chicago participants discounts on their registration fees... I believe it's Denver that is giving free registration to those who ran Chicago. Very nice and well deserved! I hope some can turn it around and get another fall marathon in where the temps may be more fall-like.
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