11th Oct 2009 Chicago Marathon

2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Boasts Largest Finisher Field in Event History
Congratulations to the 33,687 runners (19,069 men and 14,618 women) who crossed the finish line of the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, contributing to the largest finisher total in the 32-year history of the event. More importantly, each of you set out upon a journey to reach the finish line and achieved your goal. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon staff, the event sponsors, the City of Chicago, and the running community at large commend you for your impressive accomplishment.

Wanjiru Sets North American and Course Record in Chicago Marathon Victory
Kenya’s Sammy Wanjiru, the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist and London Marathon champion, laid claim to another piece of history by breaking the North American and course record with his exciting victory at the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The 22-year-old sensation pulled away from his final challengers, Vincent Kipruto and Charles Munyeki, both of Kenya, just past the 35-kilometer mark.

With a final surge down Columbus Drive, Wanjiru had just enough time to wave to the crowd before breaking the finish line tape in 2:05:41, eclipsing the previous North American and course record held by Khalid Khannouchi (MAR/USA) by a single second.

The women’s race was a more tactical affair with all the pre-race favorites bunching together and laying watch on one another for the first 13.1 miles. With the lead pack whittled down to four women at 40 kilometers, Russia’s Liliya Shobukhova, in just her second marathon, took command and blistered the final 2.2k at sub-five minute pace to capture the title over runner-up Irina Mikitenko of Germany and defending champion Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia.

My experience:

This time my intention was to qualify for the Boston Marathon. For my age group (35-39) it was 3 hr 15 min. I practiced for 4 months. Fortunately or Unfortunately I had 3 weeks of gap due to home country visit for official Visa formalities which turned into my marraige with Tanuja. I was hoping the timing is acheivable though my practiced estimated time was 3 hrs 30min. It was cold for 1st 5 miles for me and unfortunately I could not able to get into the carol A where the 3-3:30 timers were supposed to stand in the begining. I could able to manage to get into carol D which is almost minutes away from the start gun time(7:30am). On top of that my Garmin watch suffered due to cloudy wheather for 1st 5 mile. I have to wait till permanent marker to restart the watch to keep me updated for my current pace. I finished in 3 hrs 35 min without any damages with 1 pea break and 2 major break of 2 min each for refueling myself with water gatorade and streching. Due to cold I felt some pull to my left thai and the break was necessary on the cost of loosing those valuable minutes. As usual the last 2-3 miles are painful and it was hurtening since I left the hope since by that time I was fully aware of not completing the timing for Boston qualification. It was just the motivated run which I had planned this time for my club Bhramanti and my nephew Aditya whose Birthday is on 12th Oct.

*** My Best timings on 11th Oct 2009 26.2Miles in 3.35 in Chicago, Chicago Marathon 2008.
Stood 4th among the Indians as per the Indian's citizen on record

12th Oct 2008 Chicago Marathon

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike. On Sunday, October 12, 2008 runners from all 50 states and more than 100 countries will set out to accomplish a personal dream. This was 31st Chicago Marathon. Total registered Participants 45000. Total finishers 31402.





For me it was my 2nd Marathon. The last year was kind of eye opening experience. I didn't registered on time, since I wasn't sure about practice(training). Got the ticket from e-bay but then less time for training. On top of that, it was one of the hottest(90F) day of Chicago. So my timing was not up to the mark, since I was aware of my capacity to run and expected to finish in 4 hrs. This time everything went as planned and hence the result.

I did training for 5 months with maximum 50 miles a week. This time the weather was 80F overall and at around 21 Miles it went up to 83-85F. As usual during the wall (last 6 miles) it's more mental workout. Suddenly I felt like, I am not able to keep the pace, hence I reduced my pace for a while and then the last mile I ran with some recovery sprint run. It was one of the satisfactory moment. I felt like my training was worth, having reduced the timings from 5 hr 23 min(Last year) to 3 hr 49 min. After crossing the finish line got my medal and the body rapper. I went to the resting place, started regular stretching and heard few word Boston qualified from a parent of one of the girl participants, who was sitting next to me. It was indirect motivation to me, off course for the run and nothing else. But due to my overall performance, now I am feeling like I should keep running to improve my timings to 3:15pm(Boston Marathon qualification).

I dedicate this run to my nephew Aditya who is celebrating his Birthday on 12th Oct. Happy Birth Day Aditya.

Special Note:
- 1st time ever My name has been published in any of the US Newspaper along with all finishers. Click here for web version
- Videos can be viewed on youtube. Just searched for Chicago Marathon 2008.

Written By: Rajan Rikame