If this year is the one that finally weeds out the moaners, Chicago 2018 will be the place to be.
Not even on Rupp-certified courses are conditions good enough for these people.
If this year is the one that finally weeds out the moaners, Chicago 2018 will be the place to be.
Not even on Rupp-certified courses are conditions good enough for these people.
Amen brother! Agreed.
Ever hear of Jordan Hasay? Ran a fast time. Not too warm for her.
Sub-2:30 guy wrote:
I ran it twice in the 2010-2015 period and neither year was too hot, although one was pretty windy. I didn't think security was too bad and I was in the American development group so bathroom access and a place to warmup was great.
Does anyone have a better recommendation for the fall for runners trying to run in the 2:18-2:25 range? Not too many races out there that have a fast course and the depth to give you people to run with at that pace.
Yes, for people trying to break 3-hours there are many many other places you could go. The main reason I went to Chicago was to have competition around my level on a fast course. If I could get that competition at a lower key race (still with a fast course) I definitely would and save myself the hassle/money.
Not a ton of depth, but Indianapolis had seven people better than 2:25 last year and the winner was 2:18:xx
Similar to this comment, anyone have a recommendation on a spring marathon with similar competition, that usually has good weather, that isn't Boston?
I was looking to run in that time range this fall but got sidelined with an injury, and am now looking for a spring race
Go to Europe. Rotterdam, Paris or Hamburg. Seville if you're ok with a February race.
What you need is a shirt with holes in it.
I ran Chicago in 2009, it was 29 degrees at the start. Yes, below freezing. It was a beautiful day and I ran a huge PR
Is it mandatory that the elites wear shirts?
If not, then instead of poking holes in his shirt, Mr. Rupp could have not worn one and pinned his number on his shorts.
1st time running Chicago this year. I really liked it not sure what the complaints are all about. I would go back. For the most people your training through the summer so you should be used to the heat somewhat.
Corral B
Thought the temps were good until mile 21 or so
Ran a 9 min PR
Bathroom lines not terrible 15 min
Security lines easy 10 min
Lot of volunteers directing you to your corral
Thought the crowds were pretty good all the way through. It's a pretty early start time Im not surprised the crowds aren't 5 deep like they are at Boston or NY.
Boston start time for elite men is 10 compared to 7:30. Spectators can have breakfast and head out to the course.
I can't feel my pace wrote:
I ran Chicago in 2009, it was 29 degrees at the start. Yes, below freezing. It was a beautiful day and I ran a huge PR
8 years.
That was long ago and far away.
Granted, Chicago can yield a good day for attempting a PR. It isn't too warm every year but a man can grow old waiting for the next Chicago Marathon with PR conditions.
Come to Philly! Weekend before Thanksgiving. Great weather, fast course, well organized.
I am considering it. Philadelphia is close enough.
The $155 entry fee + the unlovely $9.30 processing convenience fee is a cause for concern though.
I was there this year and last. Last year was perfect for weather, this year the steady temp climb was tough, but not awful. Starting from B. One thing I noticed more this year was that I found it really tough to find "space" to run. Obviously it's a huge race but last year ran a lot with the 3:05 group and seemed to have plenty of room. This year with the 3:00 group it was packed, and managing getting around at aid stations was a lot tougher. Still though, the whole experience of Chicago I love, the city, food, course, etc...I think it's managed very well and logistics are easy...we walked everywhere from our hotel. That said, after two years in a row, I'll be looking for a different fall marathon too...just something smaller overall....what's a good fast fall marathon with low crowds for the person looking to go just under 3?
Hey OP! I unterstand your reasoning. This year was so warm, that no runner except Abel Kirui ran sub 2:10. That shows the Bad conditions. Even G. Rupp now still is basically a 2:10 marathoner.
Um, ever hear of global warming? How is that Chicago's fault?
Cal International in Sacramento is the right answer of course, although it's in December.
A lot of replies have called the poster's attitude wimpy. Not sure that's being fair. His (her?) point was not that Chicago was unrunnable because of warm temperatures, but that because of hot days it was becoming a difficult course to PR on.
Now, it can be very satisfying to finish a hot race, especially if you gauge your pace properly, and are passing a ton of people in the last few kms. But for PRs, I would agree, it has to be cool. Myself, I favor between 41 and 50F.
And despite the flat course, IMO Chicago is a real crapshoot for PRs - temperatures swing pretty wildly from year to year. Since 2005, only about half the time are conditions decent. In 2009, the year I ran it, and 2012, the year Ritz ran his 2:07, conditions were what I would call ideal, between 32 and about 45F. A few years they were middling, like this year and 2013, when Kimetto set the course record. And a few more they were scary, temperatures pushing into the 80s. Here's the link for 2005-2017:
http://findmymarathon.com/weather-detail.php?zname=Chicago%20Marathon&year=
Interestingly, in 2010, the year that Sammy Wanjiru and Tsegaye Kebede had their epic duel in the closing kilometers, it was sunny and quite warm, in the 60-70F range. Sammy still managed to win in 2:06:23 (was he not the best warm-weather runner ever?), even though he had apparently spent the summer drinking beer and gaining weight, and was only, from what I have read around 70% fit. Kebede finished 20 secs behind, Sammy completely broke him on that last little hill before you turn left onto the home stretch. So running fast in the heat isn't impossible. Incidentally, if you've never watched the footage, and love racing, you owe it to yourself to check out this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFPhCJ4IKeE
Finally, despite what I've been reading in various letsrun threads, I had no problem with Chicago crowds. Chicago doesn't have the size of New York or London, nor the great subway system for spectators to get around the race. Also, while the 7:30 start is great for the runners, it's not particularly spectator-friendly. Still, I thought the crowds were decent throughout, and within a couple of miles of the start and finish area, were quite awesome.
They should move it to late October.
Chief Wahoo wrote:
Is it mandatory that the elites wear shirts?
If not, then instead of poking holes in his shirt, Mr. Rupp could have not worn one and pinned his number on his shorts.
Real men would pin it on their bare chests
I can't feel my pace wrote:
I ran Chicago in 2009, it was 29 degrees at the start. Yes, below freezing. It was a beautiful day and I ran a huge PR
Ha me too. Will never forget that day. Four minute PR, negative split, and it (almost) seemed easy.
Since then, too hot.
