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Running Tue Sep 29 2009
Crosstown Showdown Rundown
Individually speaking, North Siders and South Siders haven't had a lot to cheer about this year, sportswise. With both the Cubs and the White Sox wrapping up a couple of nosedive seasons, the lone highlight this year might have been the annual crosstown showdown. But now that that's over...
But there's one more opportunity to renew this (for the most part) good-natured rivalry during the upcoming Chicago Marathon when high school athletes from the north side of the city and the south side will compete in a race within the race, the "Northside/Southside Challenge", a 2.62 mile run during the running of the actual marathon.
With the invitational meet, "Nike is inspiring the next generation of runners by giving them the experience of racing in the footsteps of their running heroes," according to Reg Hamlett, general manager of Nike's central territory. "The Northside/Southside Challenge is a ground-breaking way to bring a new energy to a preeminent marathon."
The race will begin the boys competition at 7:40 a.m., follow by the girls competition at 7:45 a.m. But groups of runners will start at 31st and Michigan Ave and will end at the Marathon finish line.
The prep athletes who will participate will be selected by Whitney Young coach Robert Geiger and coached by Nike athlete/spokespersons prior to the race. Individual and team winners will be named for the boys and girls squad and an overall winning team will be chosen from the group with the best cumulative time.
