Marathon Pundit: Chicago Marathon: An international race

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Chicago Marathon: An international race

When New York City bid on the 2012 Olympics, it made the claim that almost every IOC member nation could find one of its citizens living in America's largest city. Chicago can probably make a similar boast, and should have made used "When you are in Chicago, you are home" as its official slogan for its 2016 bid.

But they didn't ask me. But I plan to be around for a while, so when the jockeying begins for the 2024 games, look me up. Warning--I won't be working for free.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon brings big bucks to Chicago, as CBS 2 Chicago tells us:

Analysts say $147 million dollars is being pumped into the Chicago economy this holiday weekend. Allen Sanderson, a University of Chicago sports economist, says that figure should be much more conservative -- $30 million – but agrees it's a net plus.

And it's all because of the marathon.

Runners converged on McCormick Place to pick up their credentials Saturday, the day before the marathon. Some, like Kathryn Piece of St. Louis, traveled relatively short distances to get here.

Others, like Ikeda Tetsuro of the Netherlands, traveled from different continents.

James "Skinny" Sheahan, a marathon runner who happens to be in charge of McCormick Place, where the marathon pre-race expo is heald each year, compared the event to the Super Bowl, but added this caveat, "But we have it every year."

Hotels, restaurants (but not bars), cab drivers, parking garages, and souvenir vendors all do well when runners converge on Chicago for the annual 26.2 miler.

And it's not just big city races that rake in the cash. A southern Utah marathon had to turn runners away this year, despite the recession.

From the Spectrum:

The St. George Marathon continues to grow despite the turbulent economic climate, with a record-setting 7,200 athletes registered to compete in Saturday's race.

Approximately 10,000 athletes from across the globe sought to run in this year's marathon, but event coordinators were forced to turn some away as a result of transportation constraints. This represents an impressive turnout considering the nation's current economic woes, said Kami Ellsworth, race operations manager.

"I personally was surprised that our numbers didn't drop due to the economy this year," Ellsworth said.

As a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, Ellsworth said this year's event is expected to bring athletes from 49 states and 13 countries to St. George. In addition to the race's status as qualifier for Boston, Ellsworth said runners are drawn to St. George because of the area's stunning natural beauty.