I'm a 24m postgrad moving to Chicago in a few weeks. Marathon PR around 2:40, currently in a buildup for Ottawa and looking to go 2:35 or so.
My question is - what clubs or teams in Chicago would be a good fit? I'm hesitant to run with a group that identifies as a "crew" because that just seems so pretentious. I'm looking for a group serious about racing and dropping time.
Thanks
Probably the fleet feet non elite nike racing team or dwrunning
Eliuyoda wrote:
My question is - what clubs or teams in Chicago would be a good fit? I'm hesitant to run with a group that identifies as a "crew" because that just seems so pretentious. I'm looking for a group serious about racing and dropping time.
Fleet Feet is a good place to get started. And whatever you do, stay away from "Three Run Two" - I've seen them in a number of races in the US and they look like colossal assholes.
I'm not from Chicago but I visit fairly often and race there occasionally. I'm always impressed by how many training groups and teams there seem to be.
I know there is a New Balance team that has guys who would be right in your range because I've raced the same guy from that team 3 times (twice in Elmhurst and once in NYC) and my sense is he is right around your range or maybe a bit faster. He seemed like a reasonably decent guy based on starting line small talk.
Not much to go on but it's a starting point.
Track and Trough Athletic Union
Smoove wrote:
I'm not from Chicago but I visit fairly often and race there occasionally. I'm always impressed by how many training groups and teams there seem to be.
I know there is a New Balance team that has guys who would be right in your range because I've raced the same guy from that team 3 times (twice in Elmhurst and once in NYC) and my sense is he is right around your range or maybe a bit faster. He seemed like a reasonably decent guy based on starting line small talk.
Not much to go on but it's a starting point.
The New Balance team has a couple of women that run sub 2:40. Some of their faster guys ran 2:20-2:31 at Chicago last year. I know they do long runs together on the weekends at various places (Lakefront path, Busse Woods, etc.). The women usually meet for track/hill workouts during the week in Lisle. I don't often see the men there.
I would say the Cubs are the most competitive right now, but I think the Bears could turn things around this year.
It depends on your goals. Fleet Feet Chicago has a pretty deep roster of marathoners right now. 3 guys sub 2:19, 8 more guys between 2:23 and 2:29. But they also have plenty of runners in the 2:30-2:45 range as well if that fits you better. Track and Trough Athletic Union is another good option, as they have a whole bunch of guys in the 2:30-2:50 range. Both are fun groups that often mix for runs and workouts.
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