With the 43rd Chicago Marathon cancelled and moved to a virtual event, some runners are getting a head start.
Seventy-two-year-old Randy Burt will begin his 85th marathon at 2 a.m. Tuesday.
He’s among only four people to complete every Chicago Marathon since the event began, and he won’t let COVID stop him.
But Burt said he will miss the 45,000 runners and more than 1 million spectators.
Crystal Rosales was looking forward to experiencing the crowds, too, in her first marathon.
The 34-year-old River West woman has been training for marathons since getting sober nearly two years ago.
Friends plan to cheer her on as she runs near One Tail at a Time, the rescue where she got her beloved Chihuahua and for which she has raised money.
Marathon director Carey Pinkowski says runners can run virtual races that are 1 mile; a 5K; an 8K; a half-marathon or the full 26.2 miles.
He calls the free virtual experience “an opportunity for our team to bring the spirit and the celebration of Race Week to everyone that would have participated in the 43rd running of this great tradition.”
Related
