On Sunday, October 12th close to 45,000 individuals will line up for the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Known for its relatively flat and fast course, the Chicago Marathon is one of the five World Marathon Majors and is considered a great race to achieve a personal record.

Pre-Race Activities:

For runners arriving in Chicago early, NIKE’s Club RUN CHI is hosting a big pep rally at NIKETOWN on Thursday October 9th. The regular training run will be incorporated into the rally (three miles for those running for the marathon). The pep rally begins at 6:30pm and will include NIKE elite athletes, a book signing by Geoff Hollister and tons of pre-race inspiration.

All runners can get their official marathon merchandise from NIKETOWN and the NIKE booth at the Heath & Fitness Expo. There will also be a marathon services station at NIKETOWN starting on Friday October 10th, providing runners with complimentary items such as safety pins, Vaseline, bobby pins and Gatorade.

For friends and family along to support the runners, NIKE will have two Cheer Stations and Motivational Zones along the course—the first at mile 15.5 (near Ashland and Jackson) and the second at mile 22.5 (at 33rd street & Wentworth). Spectators in these areas will receive free cheer items and will be entertained by music and cheer groups on-site.

Race Day advice from RUN NYC:

The Chicago course has two out and back stretches between miles 13 – 18 and a long straight away section starting at mile 23 that takes you to the finish of the marathon. Embrace the long, straight section and use it as a great area to open up your stride, pick up the pace and finish strong. The course is almost entirely flat except for a short dip near the halfway mark.

Since the Chicago Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the United States, arrive early in order to have ample time for preparation. Shortly after the start of the race, be prepared for the road to narrow, causing a bottleneck around mile one that may force many runners to weave through the pack.

The crowd support in Chicago is among the best. Many parts of the course are stacked five to six deep with spectators. The contagious energy produced by the fans can help propel runners through tough sections. This year, the addition of the NIKE Cheer Station and Motivational Zone at mile 15.5 fills in one of the few areas of the course that has historically been sparse with spectators. While out on the course, there are many other large cheering sections that will help push along the runners as well plenty of water and aid stations. At certain stations, (mile 18) PowerGel will be provided.

A note of caution: Due to the large number of participants, the first couple of water stations can be quite congested. It would be wise to start the race with a disposable water bottle, allowing you to bypass the first few stations. In addition, be prepared for a slow start and do not get discouraged. The course is flat and there will be plenty of opportunities to make up time. Finally, there are only a few shaded areas along the route. If it is a warm day, be prepared for a number of runners already taking shelter in the shade.

Overall, the Chicago Marathon is one of the ‘it’ marathons in the United States. The city shuts down and the atmosphere is lively. With great support from staff, volunteers, and spectators, the experience is sure to be a positive one and the memories are bound to last a lifetime.