CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Runners are starting to build up their miles as they prepare for the 2021 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. It is the first time the event will be held in person since 2019. Last year's race was converted to a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The formal 18-week training course begins next week. Race officials are working closely with the City of Chicago, including the Chicago Department of Public Health, to produce a safe and enjoyable experience for event attendees and the Chicago community.
“We’re excited to kick off the launch of training with our participants next week,” said executive race director Carey Pinkowski in a statement. “Over the next 18 weeks our team will be hard at work, much like our participants, preparing for the return of the event. After a year without a major marathon, it feels great to know the start line is once again in our sights.”
According to event organizers, 35,000 runners will participate in this year's marathon. That's down from the close to 46,000 participants who finished the marathon in 2019. Race director Carey Pinkowski said the number of participants this year is capped due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, but he added that the race plan can be altered to adapt to COVID safety protocols in place at race time.
Pinkowski said the marathon pumps millions of dollars into the local economy, and the loss was noticeable last year.
"The fact that we did not stage the event, there were tens of millions of dollars that did not make their way into the local economy," Pinksowski said.
Like the runners themselves, Pinkowski said this is a training session for race organizers after two years off. He hopes to hold a safe event before bringing back the full marathon experience in 2022.
"Get through this year, this transition year, and then 2022 have the grand event that we are used to seeing," Pinkowski said.
The 2021 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is scheduled to take place Oct. 10.
“The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has long been one of our city’s most exciting events for runners and onlookers alike—making last year’s decision to cancel it all the more difficult,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement. “Now, thanks to the progress we’ve made in our COVID-19 journey, we will be able to bring back this Chicago staple and welcome thousands of marathoners and fans back to our streets this fall.”
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