Chicago Marathon
CHICAGO MARATHON – CAFT FUND RAISING UPDATE
Tony Collier and fellow marathon runner Andy Dooley of Sale and also a member of Styal Running Club completed the Chicago Marathon on Sunday 9th October. This is Tony’s report on the event:-
“The Chicago Marathon is one of the 5 world marathon majors and when Andy, who had already run the other 4, said he intended to complete his set it was an easy decision to agree to join him. Training started 16 weeks before the event but we were already running 25-35 miles per week prior to then. During the 16 weeks training we completed over 670 miles whilst generally running 6 days per week.
Over 45,000 runners entered the event and approximately 37,000 reached the start line. We all prayed for typical October Chicago weather 50-60f but it wasn’t to be. As we toed the line at 7.30 it was already 65f and rising rapidly. By the end of the race it had reached into the high 80’s and the heat took a serious toll on runners like us from cooler climes!
The race itself was the best organized and most brilliantly supported that I have ever taken part in. There were over 20,000 volunteers and an estimated 1.7m spectators lining the streets, 10 deep on the sidewalk, shouting encouragement at all the runners. It is also estimated that charities benefit from this marathon to the tune of over £10m!
My race started ok and I was still on schedule for my 3 hours 20 minute target at the half way mark. However the rising heat took its toll in the 2nd half, which largely had no shade from the sun, and I faded over the last 8-9 miles but still achieved a very creditable 3.30.52 finishing 3195th out of 35,747 finishers and 156th out of 1671 in my age group (21 + a bit!). More importantly, thanks to the brilliant support of my very generous sponsors, I have raised over £3,100 for the Childrens Adventure Farm. A really big thank you to all my sponsors.
Best on course comments from spectators on the course “come on Tony you look so sexy today” and for Andy “come on old timer you can do it”!”
