CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Organizers are ramping up preparations for the 44th Bank of America Chicago Marathon, while those running it should be tapering down ahead of Sunday’s race.
There is already a blue line marking the 26.2 mile course as it winds through 29 neighborhoods and over six Chicago bridges. Volunteers have already assembled packets for runners to pick up starting Thursday at McCormick Place.
Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya and Seifu Tura of Ethiopia are back to defend their wins, as well as wheelchair race champions Tatyana McFadden and Daniel Romanchuk of the U.S. They are leading a field of runners from 100 countries and 50 states that is nearing pre-pandemic levels.
40,000 runners are registered this year, building on just over 26,000 who crossed the finish line last year. Chicago was the first World Marathon Majors in the U.S. to return after a year off due to COVID-19.
Any runner who tests positive for the virus after last Friday can defer their registration to next year but will need a doctor’s note.
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The weather at the moment looks favorable, with temperatures forecasted to be in the upper 40s and low 50s.
You can track runners through the ChiMarathon app. Be sure to watch for street closures during the race, which runners must complete in six and a half hours.
The race starts at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning and WBBM will be there. Giving updates - not running.
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