pickupthepacepaul

On 8 October 2023, I completed the Chicago Marathon. Chicago Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors, and although I have a soft spot for the London Marathon, Chicago is definitely one of my favourites. I have completed the Chicago Marathon 4 times, 3 times as a pacer. This was the 104th time I have been a pacer, 42 times for the marathon distance. It was my 141st event for the 100 marathon club. This year, I set myself a challenge to run 26 marathons in 52 weeks, which is one marathon every 2 weeks for a whole year. This challenge is to raise money for Cancer Research, and at the Chicago Marathon, I completed this challenge, running my 26th marathon for 2023.

Whilst there is so much to do in Chicago, as it was my 4th time and I was travelling alone, I decided to get the cheapest accommodation which was near the airport. This limited my options and meant I needed an Uber on race morning, but it didn’t stop me from having a fantastic time. I landed on Friday and just stayed around my hotel. I had an amazing burger and then just relaxed in my hotel.

On Saturday morning, I decided not to do the 5k. I wasn’t sure I could get there on time without an Uber, and as I would have needed to collect my bib on race morning, it just seemed like hard work. I would have loved to have done it, and I’ve run it twice before, but I was happy to miss it. I ended up leaving to go to the expo early and travelled with lots of runners going for the 5k, so at this point I definitely wish I had purchased a bib, but it meant I got to the expo early.

At the expo, I worked a shift at the pacer booth, talking to runners and supporting them with pre race nerves. The expo seemed smaller than normal, but it still seemed like lots to see and do. After my shift, I got my bib and some clif bloks, and then was on my way. I love the Chicago Deep Pan pizza, so I decided to have a nice treat before heading back to my hotel. If you come to Chicago, you must get yourself a deep pan, but be warned, they are huge. An individual portion is enough for most people. I got a small which serves 2.

I spent most of the day trying to recover from jetlag and prepare for the marathon. Getting my kit together, getting snacks for the evening and morning, and planning for race morning.

I got an Uber on race morning, and it was cheaper than I expected. I left just after 04:00 which is earlier than needed, but as this was the only way getting to the start I didn’t want to leave it too late in case I couldn’t get a booking. I had a 30-minute wait before Race Village opened, and then I made my way to the pacers tent, trying to stay warm on a particularly cold morning. Conditions were perfect for running but very cold for spectators and runners at the start.

It was nice having somewhere to rest before the start and having access to a toilet, which I know can get busy. I was in wave 2, which sets off at 08:00. We made our way to the start at around 07:20, just before wave 1 started. There, we found our spot and spoke with runners around us. I was pacing with Eric and Stephen, and we worked well in the morning briefing and supporting everyone looking to run with us. I enjoy this part of the day, and gave my usual style of talk at the beginning, aiming to both provide advice and give confidence to runners, whilst having a laugh and easing everyone’s nerves through the spirt of running for fun. We had a big group of people with us, lots of people running Chicago for the first time, aiming for a sub 4 for the first time and a number of first-time marathoners.

The first 5k of Chicago Marathon is the worst for GPS that I’ve ever known in a race. It is therefore important for pacers to be accurate whilst pacing just on a stopwatch (old school). We spread out as pacers at the start, and Eric and Stephen pulled ahead whilst I kept a reserved pace. This is often a good strategy to spread all the runners. My watch changed from 5 min miles to 16 min miles, but I maintained pace by feel. It’s difficult as your watch can tell you extremes, and this means in places on the course my strava doesn’t accurately record what I was running. But I hit mile 1 in 9 mins, and I got to 5k 15 seconds ahead of Target. I told everyone at the start that I wanted to get to half way in 1:59:30 and I would maintain that 30 seconds buffer until the end, so I was really pleased to get to half way in 1:59:30 on my watch.

I caught up with Stephen after a few miles and ran with him briefly before he pulled ahead again. I didn’t want to run any faster, and I was happy supporting my group with the odd cheer of support whilst trying to maintain consistency. At about 17 miles, I saw Eric stop for the toilet, and he soon caught me up, and then he ran the final 9 miles with me. It was great to have the company and run together.

We ticked off the miles, and we ranged from 30 seconds to 15 seconds ahead of schedule each mile, regardless of GPS and any other challenges such as congestion or inclines. Chicago is mostly flat, but even on the flattest course, there is the odd incline. Some of the bridges are a little challenging, and also, they are not great to run over with metal grates on most bridges. Chicago Marathon covers part of the bridge with carpet, but as a pacer, I rarely run over the carpet as I keep central for runners around me. The water stations are really well managed. They are frequent and consistent with gatorade followed by water. They are in paper cups, and the tables last for a block, meaning there is plenty of room to be able to get in and get out. As the race goes on, this gets more challenging, with more runners stopping as they get tired.

Eric and I supported each other and everyone around us for the last few miles, urging everyone to stay with us. I’m so pleased that many of the runners that started with us carried on until the end, many picking up the pace in the final mile to finish well ahead of schedule. We also picked up a few more runners with us at the end, helping with strong finishes. I love events like Chicago. The crowd support is amazing from start to finish, but that last mile is incredible. Also, you get a mile countdown, and as a pacer, this is so helpful. With a mile to go, I was on 3:50:30, so I knew I was on to finish around 20 seconds ahead of schedule. I always get so nervous in the last mile, wanting to hold, but ensuring that everyone gets ahead just in case we have underestimated the course.

It was a strong finish, and there were lots of happy faces at the end. I finished in an official time of 3:59:40, which I am very happy with. But what makes it most special is hearing about all the PB and sub 4 finishers that ran with us. Well done to all of you. You were amazing. And for those that didn’t quite make it, don’t worry, there will be other days. Also, well done to Kiptum with a new world record, achieving a second half negative split, a sub 2 marathon is close.