The idea of going to the USA since my last trip in 1997 to New York, where the Twin Towers were still alive, was really surreal. Having balloted the Chicago marathon and getting the ballot, I decided to go and also make a trip to New York at the same time.
The race as usual like many other majors requires a balloting. Most majors have the same way of entrance, either you ballot or you are so fast that you can qualify a timing , the last options is not something that Singaporeans like to do is Charity fund raising slots.
Along the streets
Balloting actually starts last year , If I could remember was around Nov. Results came in early this year, I was lucky to get the ballot. So comes all the preparations to Chicago.
Accommodations
Comfortable bed
AirBnB has always been my choice when I go overseas because I do not really like the hotel setting. Staying with families and interacting with the host makes you feel more like a local and also some things that you forget to bring can also be borrowed from the host. But AirBnB is really not for those people who are very meticulous and picky. Another good reason is its costs, especially for USA, the hotels are really expensive. I chose a cosy explorer room at the Ukranian Town, it was very affordable and has a kitchen with good showering and bath facility. Most importantly is the heating system.
Race Pack Collection
Collecting our bibs and start bag with Jean Wong
The race pack collection expo is another mega one. But compared to the one in Tokyo and Berlin, I kinda felt it was smaller. Berlin was really massive taking up the whole of and old airport. It was held at the exhibition area in McCormick Place. The usual stuff, athletic wear, running gears and accessories. Beside the loud and crazy Nike booth which sells the official running gear for this event, there were many nice goods for the race, but I found them quite steep. The Goose Island Beer booth is something not to be missed, giving out free taster beer and selling some of their brand items like the Marathon Beer pint glass, tee shirts and caps.
Race pack include the bib and event tee and many coupons for discount.
Runners were given their baggage drop bag plastic bag and the event tee shirt, you can change the tee shirt on the spot if it does not fit you.
RACE COURSE
You get to run through the city of Chicago, but it was really windy
The start and end is at the Grant Park in the down town of Chicago. Managed to stay one night with my friend, Jean Wong at the Hyatt Regency, the good thing was they had shuttle bus to bring runners to the start point, so the transportation portion was saved.
Many said that this race can be warm or cold depending on the year. This year it was quite cold at the start, but the sun came out towards the end. Maybe it is a good news for me. But to those used to running in the colder climate, finds it kind of too hot for comfort.
The race course is very straight forward and I must say throughout the whole course, it was really flat. Being my third major, I find it much more friendly than Berlin and well organised. There were turns , but the turns were not choke points, in fact having so many participants every year, I have never heard anyone complained that there were choke points.
All feeling cold and freezing at the start point
Besides the well stocked up water points with water and Gatorade, the good thing about the water points is that about 200m-300m before them, there will be a sign to say the water point is ahead. The water points are well stocked and being a long stretch, it eliminates the congestion. Another good point is that they use paper cups so the ground was not that slippery.
Some stations had bananas and also energy gels. But what hits me best is the beer point at 38km, weather was really getting hot and just as I thought I saw wrongly, Goose island beer company was dishing out ice cold beer for the runners, it was really a perk!
You also get volunteers cheering you along the way from both side of the road. Being a cosmopolitan city, Chicago has many different area of ethnicity. This is where you get to experience the different sides of the city like you get drag queens cheering you at Boys’ Town, dragon dance at the Chinatown.
Finishing Line
Crossing the finishing line
To end this wonderful 26.2 miles, you get to run down the famous Magnificent Mile, something like the Orchard Road of Singapore, with more supporters and cheering to push you through to the end point back in Grant park.
Besides the photos ( you need to buy and best is to purchase before hand for this as you can save more ), runners get tons of goodies from the sponsors like replenishment bag from Mariano’s, local supermarket, with energy bar and protein bars, apple sauce. Water and Gatorade, of course the 26.2 ,special canned 312 beer by Goose Island ( it was free flow big cans at the finishing line).
Runners can keep themselves warm with the special foil warmer sheet printed with the Chicago Marathon words and logo, and also the finisher medal. Post race party by another official partner, Biofreeze , was just nearby and you can get another free pint of beer there with many food trucks. Of course, if you are willing to wait, the physiotherapy tent was there too to give a good rub down.
Downing a pint for our finish!
Finishers do not get a finisher tee shirt, but you can purchase one at the Nike Store along Magnificent Mile, where there are tons of other shopping malls. To draw you to their store, Nike was offering free medal engraving for all finishers. So we saw many runners wearing their medals on the streets. Seems like some sort of achievement.
Engraving services at Nike
Overall
Singapore!
Managed to go below four hours, just by a little. I was more focused this time and also sometimes going solo does help you to be more concentrated. But travelling alone to a far away place sometimes do get a bit lonesome. I had very good experience with this race as it was really well organised, and despite so many participants and supporters, there was no chaos. Everything moved on smoothly. The only choke point was the bag check at the starting line, and I suggest to go at least 1 and half hours before your start corral to get ready at the start line snug and well. For those going in the future editions, I am sure you will enjoy this race and what the city of Chicago has to offer ( in my case, the wonderful delicious beer!)
At the bean
Navy Pier
Beer time
By the river
Downtown chicago
In terms of rest and relax, things might not be cheap here but you get a totally different experience. Some of the sights you can visit in Chicago is the Millennium Park, Navy Pier where you can see the Lake Michigan and also hop on the Ferris wheel. There are also many museums here, but for me I am not a museum fan and end up going for the yummy fresh beer on the taps. There is also an outlet shopping mall just one station away from the O hare Airport. Down town transportation wise, the city is well served by the subway and also buses. You can get a refillable card, Ventra, or go for the unlimited few days with a price card.