Running in Year 2023 (Goal 2023 km)

Monday, October 9, 2023

Chicago Marathon -- best of the best

Chicago Marathon 
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Full/Ultra Marathon #90

  • 48 580 participants in the full marathon. 
  • Could not ask for better weather: high 40s to start, cloudy. 
  • 3 starting corrals organized into A to N waves. Great to have 6 hours 30 minutes to finish to appear as an official finisher. 
  • Most organized race I have experienced (from start to end); especially the fluid stations with plenty of volunteers and tables.
  • Chicago citizens embrace the marathon; cheering specators from start to finish (which kept the 42.2 km distance from ever getting dull or boring)
  • Every km marked and every mile marked
  • Started at 8:49:00 am and finished 2:21:13 pm
  • Chip time = 5:32:14  (placed 41 913 out of 48 580)
Largest expo experienced!

Great to meet Joan Benoit Samuelson, first woman to win Olympic gold. She signed my bib and a photo.

Start line at 8:30 am

5 K

10 K

15 K

20 K

Selfie at the half way mark with a time of 2:29:59.

25 K

Selfie with a new friend at 27 K. At about the 5 K, I overheard a woman say, "Doodle". She was identifying doodles whenever she saw the dogs. Mine is at home and can't wait to see Elmo soon.

Such amazing Chicago citizens who cheered us on from start to finish.

30 K

Confetti

Entering Chinatown


30 K

40 K

1 mile to go

Selfie as about to reach finish line!

Selfie with finisher's medal

Selfie with the Bean; construction until spring 2024 means I could not touch the Bean :-(

On 94th floor of 360 Chicago

Overall place:  41 913 out of 48 580