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Running Wed Oct 07 2009

Show The World What They're Missing

Lakeside Tee.jpgOk, so we may not have the 2016 Olympics to crow about. But who needs 'em? Fine, Rio, have a ball, knock yourselves out. We didn't really want the stinky ol' Olympics anyway.

Sour grapes aside, this weekend's 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is still a pretty good international showcase for the city, combining some of the excitement of the Games with a chance to show off the beauty and culture of the city to the world. An international field will ensure that more than a few nations will be focusing on the race, and the fact that average Chicagoans will also be taking part alongside the elite runners gives it enough of a local twist that the rest of us may be compelled to tune it to the telecast.

That is, if we aren't actually on the street cheering on the runners. We may curse the traffic delays and reroutes but there's something a little electric about seeing thousands of runners culminate months of training by running right past your (theoretical) front door.

run drink.jpgEven if you're not participating, you can show your support with a special line of Chicago Marathon-themed apparel from Nike. The shoes and t-shirts give shout-out to various Chicago landmarks like "The Bean" (Ok, Cloud Gate), the Sears Tower (OK, Willis Tower), as well as the instantly-familiar city skyline, many of them done up in the color scheme of the city flag. While cool enough to wear even if you're not running 26 miles, Nike reps say the products are not just for show but for go, with "DRI FIT technology to wick away sweat from the body, reflective piping to increase visibility, self-binding fabric and ergonomic side seams to reduce chafing, cord loops for music management, interior pockets for media players and more." If you're a runner, all of that stuff probably means a lot to you.

Actual race participants will have a special way to commemorate their participation with a "Marathon Finisher" product to let everyone know they made it to the end.

All of the apparel is now available at Niketown (669 N. Michigan Ave.), at their website and at the Nike booth at the Marathon expo.

Nike's participation in the Marathon, as usual, goes beyond trying to sell you stuff. Tomorrow night at Niketown, Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox (he of the 102-yard TD run against Detroit this past Sunday) will join elite runners former Chicago Marathon winner and Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, 2008 Olympic Silver medalist Bernard Lagat, 2008 bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan, American two-mile record holder Matt Tegenkamp and 14-time All-American Chris Solinsky for a pre-race pep rally beginning at 6:30 p.m. There'll be a Q and A with the runners, as well as a training run.

Chicago_Marathon_09_Lunar_Glide_1273.jpg

 
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