Message from Carey Pinkowski

I just got an email from Chicago Marathon Race Director, Carey Pinkowski:

Dear Runners,

For 17 years I have been honored to serve as Executive Race Director of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, a race steeped in a 30-year tradition of providing the ultimate marathon experience for runners.

The record high temperatures and humidity at Sunday’s race made for a challenging day for marathoners.  The conditions on Sunday presented me with the single most difficult decision I have ever made as race director. While that was a frustration to many, I stand behind the decision to end the race early– it was a necessary safety measure. However, I also recognize that because of the conditions and my decision, many of our runners did not have the experience they trained for and expected.

As an organization dedicated to providing the very best experience in the industry, the results have left us disappointed as well. Our team has spent the last several days reviewing the details and we are listening to runners, staff and volunteers. Rest assured that we take the day’s events - and your comments - seriously.

We are reviewing all details and feedback as we plan to continue the tradition of our race in 2008 and beyond. Offering the best experience possible to runners always has been our priority and it remains a commitment of the highest importance.

My personal gratitude goes to each of you, as well as to staff and volunteers, for participating in the race this year. I share in your disappointment, if you did not have the experience you expected.

I certainly hope to be able to greet you at our finish line in the years ahead, in the grand fashion that has characterized The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon for so many years.

Sincerely,

Carey Pinkowski
Executive Race Director

No real "sorry" in there, though he does indicate the decision wasn’t easy.  Also, there were rumors of a refund which didn’t materialize. Furthermore, a link included in the mail pretty much closed the book on that runor:

Q: Will the race offer refunds?
A: The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, along with others in the World Marathon Majors, has a long standing policy of no refunds.

Oh well - I never expected one.

One thing that does have me a little ticked off has been the reaction from the running community over all. Reading some of the comments left on the Chicago Tribune web site as well as on some blogs including some hosted by Runners World there is this undercurrent of blaming it all on a field of inexperienced runners. "They should have known what they are getting into!" "Chicago allows too many beginners who should never be running a marathon in the first place!" "if the entrants ignored their available information (including basic stuff like listening to The Weather Channel beforehand) in their “quest for gold”, then they’re idiots. And you can’t fix stupid. "

Yes, I was a marathon newbie this year, but I also didn’t just wake up on October 7th and say "Woo hoo! Let’s do this thing!"  No, I spent the year up to that point training, which not only includes a lot of running, but through that running includes learning how your body reacts to three, four or five hours of strenuous activity.  Learning how to hydrate properly.  When should I eat something? What should I eat? I’m guessing I’m not the exception to all the first timers in Chicago.  If someone did sign up on Saturday to run on Sunday (which was impossible since the event sold out in May), then shame on them.

Just don’t stand there and call people whiners when they complain that the water and Gatorade they a) paid $110 for and b) were told by the race organizers to drink extra of, was not there. Especially if you weren’t there.