I think it's pathetic wrote:
I think it's pretty pathetic, along with the abysmal prize money. Only paying 5 deep international and $55k for first place? And only accepting international athletes from one company? They don't deserve to be a world marathon major anymore if they keep that up. 2013 was the last really good year for Chicago with the 2:03, has gone down hill pretty quickly since then. A course like that and world marathon status they should have a 2:04 or faster every year and several others in the 2:05-2:07 range but we aren't seeing that. Sixth place at a world marathon major on a flat course shouldn't be 2:10 or slower, yet that's what we often see. Amsterdam is better now, and Dubai, and easily a few others. It's sad to see. I hope the money gets pumped back in and we see deeper fields and better top athletes again at Chicago next year.
Why should there be any prize money at all? They do nothing beforehand to promote the race and limited English skills make interviews impossible.