Wet, windswept and worn out from jet lag, it was thrilling to join over 44,000 runners trudging in puddles and half-light to the early start of the 41st Chicago Marathon. Having witnessed the inspirational sight of a wheelchair-filled hotel lobby, no one was about to complain.
This year saw runners from 100+ countries taking part. At the startline there was banter from Sue from Stonehenge, on target for her final World Marathon Major (well done, Sue, if you’re reading this) and runners were buoyed by thunderous crowd support, a brilliantly-organised and hill-free race complete with a Biofreeze spray-station to inject energy into pained legs and plenty of welcome, witty banners. ‘You’re running Chicago better than Trump runs the country’ is one that no one will forget. Despite driving rain we could still enjoy iconic sights as we ran past, including the spectacular giant mirrored kidney bean and an impressive skyline juxtaposing historic and cutting-edge architecture.