The weather was warm and humid downtown on Sunday morning as more than 8,000 runners turned out for the races at Life Time’s Chicago Spring Half-Marathon, one of the first major races of the running season.

The event is held twice a year in May and September, and features a 5K, half-marathon and junior dash. This year, the event started at 7 a.m. at Grant Park’s Butler Field.

The event’s organizer, Life Time, is an athletic country club and wellness company. Since its founding in 1992, it has opened more than 185 athletic clubs, with 17 locations in Illinois.

Maddy Rivard, Life Time’s senior public relations specialist, said the event has multiple race length options to create an “inclusive race experience that meets people wherever they are on their endurance journey.”

Jani Barré, who uses a wheelchair, was the first starter and traveled from Canada for the half-marathon. She has earned a Guiness World Record for the fastest regular wheelchair marathon and wants to set another with this race. She finished today’s race in under two hours.

“It represents my ability to turn my dream into a reality,” Barré told the event’s organizers. “I’m going to give it my all on your course.”

Many others traveled for the event, representing 35 countries and 47 states, according to Rivard.

Nina Willard traveled from Atlanta to run the races with her two daughters. For her, the race is a return to running after she was told she needed a hip replacement. Willard started physical therapy to avoid surgery and credits strength conditioning to help her healing process.

“I hadn’t been able to run in four years,” Willard said. “Now, I’m able to run again. I’m like, why not?”

A chip time is the amount of time a person spent actually running, usually based on heat and is not just the start of the race. Willard ran the 5K with a chip time of 41:30. Once she finished the race, she waited by the finish line to cheer on one of her daughters, who ran the half-marathon.

Some people participated simply because they are passionate about running. Melissa Spiwak ran the half-marathon because she loves Chicago and fitness.

“The views are nice and it’s a flat road, so it’s an easier path to run,” Spiwak said. “It’s good vibes. Everybody is happy.”

Spiwak finished the half-marathon with a chip time of 1:31:28.

At the finish line, runners were given medals and a token for food and beer at the Spring Market Finish Fest. The fest had live music, giveaways, a beer garden and a pick-your-own-flower booth.

Gabriel Viveros, who ran the 5K, has also run the Turkey Trot and Shamrock Shuffle, two annual races in Chicago. He enjoyed running with his friends at the half-marathon but wished he could have seen a greater sense of community.

“The Turkey Trot felt closer. It was a smaller race than this one,” Viveros said. “It felt more homey and more family-oriented, which I found fun.”

Viveros finished the 5K with a chip time of 27:32.

Race participants could run for charities and raise money as part of the event. More than $23,000 were raised for Lurie Children’s Hospital. Other organizations, like Project Purple, 100 Club of Illinois and Parkinson’s Foundation all had partners donating or fundraising for the event.

Joscelyn Hernandez attended with a group to cheer on four of their friends in the races. She said the supportive atmosphere is important for all racers, regardless of experience.

“It takes a village,” Hernandez said. “It’s so nice to see Chicago come out, especially on this beautiful day in this gorgeous weather.”

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