The 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon took over the city's streets Sunday morning, drawing in an estimated 55,000 runners from all over the world.
Everyone, from professional athletes to first-time marathoners, took off to run 26.2 miles around the city on Sunday. Thousands of people also hit the route to cheer them on.
Amos Kipruto of Kenya was the first-place finisher for the marathon, with a time of 2:01:09.
Among the women, Hawi Feysa Gejia came in first at 2:13:33.
In the wheelchair division, Catherine Debrunner finished the race in 1:33:16, setting a new world record. This was her third time winning in Chicago.
The runners represent all 50 states, and 130 countries. While the runners all had their own reasons to run, they also all agreed there is something special about running in Chicago.
"I loved it — very flat, a lot of energy, a lot of energy almost everywhere — I don't think it was ever quiet, so that made it a lot of fun," said marathon finisher Connor Getz. "The competition is insane, so I always had someone to push with. That makes it a lot easier too."
The spectators also make the race special every year. According to organizers, more than 1.7 million people lined Chicago streets to cheer runners along.
Meanwhile, there were plenty of familiar faces in the crowds and on the course. Former President Bill and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were in town to cheer on their daughter, Chelsea, who finished in just shy of 3 hours and 38 minutes.
Former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo also ran the marathon, and scored the perfect bib for his jersey — 4416. His old baseball jersey number for the Cubs was 44, while he helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Series.
Rizzo was inspired to run after his wife did the New York City Marathon. He finished Sunday in just under 5 hours, 35 minutes.
James Cecil made it over the finish in 2 hours 37 minutes, and he did it in late Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka's signature team sweater vest. Cecil may be a Denver resident, but he is a loyal Chicago Bears fan.
He said he actually planned his run attire more than a month ago, but after hearing of Ditka's passing last week, he knew he had to do it.
"It was a sign," Cecil said. "I was like, all right, well now I can't, because I did bring a second outfit just in case. So I was like, once I saw that unfortunate news, I was like, I have to represent."
Cecil said he thought about adding khaki pants like Ditka wore, but he decided it would be too warm to run in such attire.
The marathon shut down streets from downtown to the North, South, and West sides, as the course went through dozens of Chicago neighborhoods. Starting and ending downtown, the course took runners in a zigzagging pattern as far south as 35th Street in Bronzeville, as far west as Damen Avenue on the Near West Side, and as far north as West Sheridan Road in East Lakeview.
In some areas — for instance, with runners heading north on Sheridan Road and Inner Lake Shore Drive and south on Broadway and Clark Street in East Lakeview and Lincoln Park — people who live between those thoroughfares found themselves with limited options for going anywhere for a while.
Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority said street closures impacted more than 30 bus routes.
So many runners over the years have said the change of scenery — seeing all different people in the different communities — is really something that keeps them going on the journey.
On Sunday, all eyes were on the weather. By October standards in Chicago, conditions were sunny and summery on Sunday, with temperatures reaching the mid-70s. This was great for a day on the lakefront, of course, but not so much for running a marathon.
Race officials said they sent messages to runners with their event alert system to update them on weather and course conditions.
Marathon chief medical and safety officer George Chiampas said runners should hydrate, really focus on nutrition, and plan their pace accordingly.
"Less than ideal day — it's a yellow day. We've communicated to runners, most importantly, to stick to your plan," Chiampas said. "It may also not be a day to set a PR. Whether you start feeling nauseous, having a headache, any obvious chest pain or shortness of breath, pull over."
Race doctors warned runners to be cautious between miles 15 and 19, where the sun was strong. They said on top of water and Gatorade stations, there were places to fill up water bottles if runners decided to run with one.
Runners can find marathon race results on the Chicago Marathon website.
