It Isn't Half of Anything?

Ok....I've got a real bone to pick. (quite the carnal phrase, isn't it?) Let me sort out my thoughts and I'll be back, but consider this a placeholder to discuss Chicago's inaugural run of this so-called 13.1 Marathon. It's taking place right now and I just watched "my bestie" (Oooh, I'm so hip, in my day it was BFF-aka best friend forever) run by between Mile 1 and 2, over by my beloved 63rd Street Beach. It really is perfect running weather...cloudy, upper 50's/low 60's...


Back to what I was writing about a full week ago (and I will make this quick):

1. It seemed like this race was a farce...supposedly for the growing groups of runners seeking out half marathon running experiences without having to share the limelight with a marathon race...(uh, we already got that here....TWO of em. And now suddenly FOUR, and that's not even including the many in the surrounding area from March through September.)

2. I was SO annoyed when I read their description of the race start and finish at the South Shore Cultural Center, where our president and first lady held their wedding and reception. I mean, that detail is cool, but COUlDN'T YOU SPELL OUR PRESIDENT'S NAME RIGHT? When I first received that in an email pushing registration, I checked their website and sure enough! It was spelled wrong there, too. So I emailed the race director and a few others. It was never changed. I dunno, I mean, well I think it's disrespectful! And then months later, it's still there...unchanged. As if no one noticed it? What a bunch of lame, wanna be capitalizing on some "1st black president" type stuff if I ever saw it. Grrrrr.

3. Well, I just had a feeling it was going to be a mess. And I guess it was. Directly from my BFF (mentioned above) whose run enough half marathons (and marathons, mind you), to know the deal...here are the complaints she had, which you will note, do not include my cheering her on like a wild maniac and even running with her for a few steps....ok, and some things I noticed, too:

-Wave start. For less than 3000 runners (ok, maybe more started, but less than 3000 finished.) But they literally started Wave A, then waited a minute or two and started the next wave. They did this for all the waves. She typically runs between a 9:30 and 10:00 pace and was in Wave N. Totally unnecessary.

-Just after the first mile, runners crossed past the 63rd Street BEach, where course officials had to fight off angry park attendants who wanted to leave. Yes, you could argue they were idiots with little respect for runners and events...but you could also argue that most races notify people along the lakefront in advance of events by way of signage, if not during the week leading up to the event, at least on the day of the event. (They do that for the Chicago Distance Classic-RIP; the Soldier Field 10-Mile, and the Chicago Half Marathon.) Those people at the park that day didn't know what the heck was going on, and likely needed to be somewhere, and the poor course officials had a real time, taking a lot of heat. I watched them for over 30 minutes. A simple sign warning people and allowing them to decide whether or not they should stay would have been sufficient.

-Gatorade in the Hinkley Water Cups. (big no-no.) More than once.

-Unenthusiastic volunteers not handing out water/gatorade cups.

-Mile 10 clock not working--OFF.

I will end this post now, but let's just say I'm glad I steered clear of this mess.


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I WILL LEAVE THIS UP HERE: directly from their web page: You should click here to see their heading (it won't paste up), it says

"13.1 Marathon, It Isn't Half of Anything"

"Where the Party meets the Pavement"

Dallas-based US Road Sports and Entertainment Group is proud to launch 13.1 Marathon™ (or 13.1™ as we like to call it), a series of races that will give runners and walkers a chance to participate in a stand-alone 13.1™ mile race in some of the most popular running communities nationwide. All 13.1 Marathons™ are first timer friendly and perfect for marathoners in training and other experienced runners looking for a run and memorable race experience.

Fields will be limited to enable novice walkers and runners a less intimidating race experience compared to events with over 10,000 racers. For marathoners and half-marathoners, 13.1™ will offer the perfect weekend long run on a closed course fully supported with aid stations, spectators and everything a runner would want as part of a fun race experience.

MARATHON THIRTEEN.ONE™ races, have been created in response to the growing demand for half marathons and support for the distance as a race for people looking for a lifetime accomplishment. While 13.1™ miles have quickly become the distance of choice for thousands of people around the world, the 13.1 Marathon™ series will become the race of choice for runners of all levels . The 13.1™ series currently consists of four races for 2009 in Miami Beach, Chicago, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale. Look for exciting news about new 13.1 Marathon™ events running in 2010!

This new series joins the family of events produced by US Road Sports and Entertainment Group, which includes the ING Miami Marathon & Half Marathon, the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon, the Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon, the Publix Escape to Miami Triathlon and the Blue Cross& Blue Shield of Florida Running Series.

Whether you want to call it 13.1™, 13.1 Marathon™, or Marathon 13.1™, we invite you to join our community of runners and enjoy a 13.1™ mile adventure with us; Where the Party meets the Pavement!