The Chicago Marathon saw droves of runners from all over the world flooding in for the chance to be the first to cross the finish line on Sunday, Oct. 8.
This year’s marathon was the 40th anniversey of the event. The race is limited to 45,000 participants, considerably higher than the 4,200 who ran in its first year in 1977.
The runners’ route sees them start them in Grant Park where they head north through the Loop and over the Chicago River. When they reach Lakeview East, they turn around and work their way down through the West Loop, University Village and East Pilsen. From the West Side, they head south through Chinatown and Bronzeville before turning north and finishing the race at Grant Park.
The marathon was won by Galen Rupp, the first American to win it since 2002, completing the 26-mile circuit in 2 hours 9 minutes and 20 seconds.
The leading group of runners press forward coming out of the tunnel on North Columbus Drive. (Richard Bodee/The DePaulia)
Spectators lined the streets and the bridge overhead as a crowd of runners pace north shortly before 8 a.m. The red carpet was rolled out to give runners better grip on the grated bridge surface. (Richard Bodee/The DePaulia)
Runners head south on State Street, encouraged by the cheers of spectators. (Richard Bodee/The DePaulia)
The pack of runners head towards the Near North Side after passing the three-mile mark. (Richard Bodee/The DePaulia)
Spectators hold up “encouraging” signs for participants for motivational purposes. (Richard Bodee/The DePaulia)
Runners head north on Lasalle Street after passing the two-mile mark. (Richard Bodee/The DePaulia)
A participant on a handcycle flies through the opening part of the course passing over Chicago’s Riverwalk. (Richard Bodee/The DePaulia)
