We love: the Chicago Marathon

The 33,687 folks who ran the Bank of America Chicago Marathon last month will have lifelong memories of amazing fans, an expertly run event and a beautiful course. But because the race took place on a chilly 35-degree day, there’s one thing they may not remember: the sweltering heat the year before and the even hotter temps the year before that. But those Indian summer days are forever burned in our memory (so to speak), so we asked race director Carey Pinkowski if he’d move the race a couple of weeks later in October—increasing the likelihood of participants enjoying cool, running-friendly race-day temps. “The one thing you will constantly hear runners and running experts say is that weather is always going to be something you can’t predict,” Pinkowski says. “Chicago has become accustomed to looking forward to the marathon on this weekend, and at this time there are no plans to change the date of the race.” Changing the race date also would open a Pandora’s box of logistical problems, he says. “Given the size of the race and the fact that it brings so many people to Chicago, the race date needs to be secured on city calendars much earlier than a year in advance.” On the upside, 2009’s 7:30am start time (changed from 8am) will stick around—and should help mitigate hot temps on warm marathon days.
In the meantime If you’re really set on a cold marathon day, you could run in New York City (first Sunday in November) or Philadelphia (third Sunday in November). But no matter what day of the year Chicago’s race falls on, it’s tough to beat our flat, fast hometown course.

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