Update:
As triathletes who tend to think ‘no pain, no gain’, sometimes it’s easy to forget how dangerous exercise and heat can be…
Sadly, it appears Sunday’s race cost a Michigan man his life (35 year old Chad Schieber) and sent about 250 runners to area hospitals for heat related issues. Please make sure to include heat acclimation in your training - train and race smart.
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Original Post:
Wow… Stunning finishes in both the men’s and women’s elite divisions today…
The 30th LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon started as planned at 8AM CST this morning. As the weathermen had predicted, it was a hot one - 75 degrees F and 86% humidity. An estimated 45,000 runners took part in this year’s event.
The men’s division was won by Patrick Ivuti (KEN) in a photo finish between himself and Jaouad Gharib (MAR). Ivuti’s winning time was 2:11:11. Robert Cheruiot (KEN), last year’s winner and the favorite going in today, took fourth.
The women’s division was won by Berhane Adere (ETH) with an unofficial time of 2:33:49. Second was taken by Adriana Pirtea (ROM) in her marathon debut. It appeared Pirtea had the race sewn up and slowed about 50 meters from the finish line - only to be overtaken by Adere at the last second.
In addition to the $125,000 first place prize for the race itself, this race also contributes points to the World Marathon Majors (with a top prize of $500,000). Going into today’s race Robert Cheruiot (KEN) was leading the men’s standings in the World Majors and Gete Wami (ETH) was leading the women’s standings.
