quote:<HR>Originally posted by bigapplepie:
Wow! A lot of people walking.<HR>

Yeah...and at mile "6"???? I have yet to run a marathon yet... but will in about a month. No matter how hot it is, should people be already walking only after 6 miles. Looked to me like a lot of people not really properly trained and just jogging/walking just for the novelty of saying they are a "Marathoner". Come on now, I seen many in heavy cotton tee shirts for goodness sake...how dumb is that? I think I saw one woman with full tights or long something on her legs.

Chicago does not seem to have a cut off time.

By comparison, Disney World would have swept you off the course if you were running less than 16 minutes / mile and New York would have reopened the roads well before then.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by WendyCity:
I ran Chicago and brought my video camera. I posted the chaos at one of the waterless aid stations (mile 6) on YouTube. A reporter on CNN found it and interviewed me by phone, and it was featured on iReports this evening. I've also been interviewed on-air by Chicago's local NBC affiliate, and the video was on WGN. Turner Broadcasting called tonight wanting to use it on all of their stations. I never thought my video would be of such interest! But what you see here is as it occurred for many of us back of the packers.

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbZTI7Cw0rM[/URL" target="_blank">

<HR>

Crazy stuff. Just curious but, from your video, it looked like there was no water at the start of the 6 mile aid station but some at the back end since everyone always stops at the first table.

Maybe all the big marathons need to have a qualifying time from a smaller marathon. You hear of the heat in 04 Boston but it did not turn into this type of problem. why? Because you had to qualify or because they were more prepared?
Not sure if Boston 04 had the humidity?

quote:<HR>Originally posted by monnik:
quote:Originally posted by bigapplepie:
Wow! A lot of people walking.

Weren't they mostly walking up to the water tents, though? <HR>

It looked like that at first but the people who were passing by and not looking for water were also walking.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by spkoest:
Maybe all the big marathons need to have a qualifying time from a smaller marathon. You hear of the heat in 04 Boston but it did not turn into this type of problem. why? Because you had to qualify or because they were more prepared?
Not sure if Boston 04 had the humidity?<HR>

I ran in '04 and I agree with your statement...partially. I don't agree that all should have a qualifying time, but it should be made more difficult to register and run a world- class marathon when you get into the 15,000+ range of runners.

In 2004, it was 86 at noon and a westerly wind caused the temperatures to rise as you moved toward Boston. By 2-3 p.m., it was ~ 90 degrees on the Newton Hills, but no issues at water stops. They were offering water in the corrals all the way to the start. There was plenty of gatorade at every stop. At every stop, I remember taking one gatorade for my insides and one cup of water to soak my hat. The fact that Boston's field is almost always ~ 20,000, make it very predictable.

That was a tough day...but can't imagine what it would have been like in Chicago...the heat compounded with the aid station issues!

Nice video Wendy...

quote:<HR>Originally posted by monnik:
quote:Originally posted by bigapplepie:
Wow! A lot of people walking.

Weren't they mostly walking up to the water tents, though? <HR>

I just checked the video again and runner number 26,786 passed the 10K mark in 1:19 which is 12:44 / mile.