Thousands Run Through Chicago For 37th Annual Marathon
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Thousands of runners made their way through the streets of Chicago Sunday for the 37th annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon. There were runners from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
While the course is described as having more sharp turns than others, it is flatter, meaning less excruciating uphill running.
Last year, Bank of America said the race's contribution exceeded a quarter-of-a billion dollars to the local economy. That's money spent by runners and spectators at places like hotels, restaurants and tourist spots. One million spectators were expected to line up along the race course.
Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya won the Chicago Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, 11 seconds. Rita Jeptoo, also of Kenya, was the women's winner for the second year in a row, finishing in 2:24:35.
Nathan Olson of Branson, Missouri, says he knows from experience - the last six miles are the hardest.
"Up until 18 you just keep a pace, but I'm really looking forward to Chinatown, that is going to be my happy moment," Olson said. "When I get see that, who cares what your legs feel like? You can almost hear the finish line and the bell by then."
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Every marathon needs spectators - especially if they're more motivational speaker than spectator, reports WBBM's Steve Miller.
T.L. Stewart of Nashville stood at Mile 2 - holding three posters to inspire his marathon runner wife, but he was there for the other 45,000 runners too.
One of his signs said, "26.2 miles. Ain't nobody got time for that...
"...I think anybody who runs 26.2 miles is really out of their mind. But you know what? They're great and they're inspiring."
Stewart says he speaks Spanish. too.
"If I see people with Mexico or Guatemala or other countries, in Spanish, I'm saying it in Spanish also."
CBS 2's Jeremy Ross reports it's one of the first times in more than a month Sarah and her husband Michael Crouch are together.
Sara was training at high altitude away from her husband. She hopes running will take her to the Olympics, but recently it has kept them apart, until now.
"I keep saying I'm never going to run another marathon every time I finish," she said.
24 runners went to hospitals -- two required advanced care. It's unclear how serious their health conditions are.
You can track runners in the marathon by clicking here and you can check the results of the race by clicking here.
