CHICAGO MARATHON - Mid-Marathon, and All Seems Well!
NEARLY 33,000 RUNNING IN 26.2 MILE EVENT STARTING THIS MORNING, 8 AM, CDT (7:50 AM FOR WHEELCHAIR-BOUND COMPETITORS)!
This year's Chicago Marathon was being watched with concerned eyes when running began early this morning. Most remember the 2007 Marathon, when several people were hospitalized for dehydration and other heat-related ailments as the event continued in near 90-degree heat. Water stations ran out quickly, and the marathon had to be called after 3 1/2 hours.
For 2008, however, special care was taken to assure safety of the runners participating. Further, more moderate temperatures, 71 degrees at start time, and near 80 predicted in early afternoon, should reduce runner risk of heat exhaustion. A new color-coded flag system will be in place warning runners of any potential danger caused by weather, or other hazardous situations. A yellow flag, in place at the beginning of the race, suggested caution. Should the race need to be called prematurely, a black flag will fly.
Marathon sponsor Bank of America, which absorbed long-time sponsor LaSalle Bank of Chicago earlier this year, has added five more runner's aid station to the 2008 Chicago Marathon, and has dramatically increased the supply of drinking water, and water-soaked sponges along the route.
Three Kenyans -- Emmanuel Mutai, David Mandago and Evans Cheruiyot -- had broken clear of the pack as they passed the halfway point of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 62:25. Mandago, 33, the oldest elite runner in the men's field, and Cheruiyot dropped Mutai in the 18th mile and were still on pace for a sub-2:06 marathon through 19 miles.
Twelve women remained in contention at the halfway point, including reigning Olympic Champion Constantina Dita-Tomescu of Romania, Defending Champion Berhane Adere of Ethiopia and Kate O'Neill of the United States.
For ongoing updates on today's Chicago Marathon, as well as a link to a route map and information about traffic re-routing today, click for Chicago Tribune Breaking News Coverage.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
