Chicago Marathon, 12th October 2025

Mark Anderson sends us this wonderful report from the Chicago marathon.

“I managed to gain guaranteed entry into the 47th running of the Chicago Marathon – there is some limited value in age! This was my 6th marathon and 4th major. Despite good late spring training, I managed to damage my knee 6 weeks before and, desperate not to miss out, I arrived in Chicago short of time on my feet, having had to tail down the weekly mileage, and probably a couple of long runs short. My disappointment at not being able to push for a PB on the course where the men’s world record was set in 2023, was more than offset by the city itself. Fascinating architecture and a beautiful lakeside vista – the sun shone throughout the stay.

A couple of amazing early morning runs on the edge of Lake Michigan and I was set for the day. US marathons start early, so it was a 5am rise to be at the assembly point in Grant Park for gear check at 6. Into my starting corral as the sun rose over the lake and ready to go at 7.30, under blue skies. The route winds its way north before turning south and then heading west and south again, through the (in)famous South Side before a return to the start. It’s a pretty spectacular course, which celebrates the architecture of a city where skyscrapers sit cheek by jowl with neoclassical buildings. What is even more amazing is the support – imagine the Great North Run on a sunny day, double it for the route and then triple it due to the North American lack of inhibition.

I set out relatively conservatively but my lack of miles began to tell as I went through the halfway about 5 minutes slower than I had wanted – a few mind games ensued and I paused to have a stern word with myself – the second half really became a mental battle as, while my knee only ached a bit, my brain started to play up a bit. I crossed the line in 3:22 – my slowest marathon, but the atmosphere and glorious sunshine more than made up for the mild disappointment.

I had wondered whether I was done with this distance, but I realise I still have unfinished business – having to run slower took some of the pressure off, and in hindsight, I might have actually enjoyed this one. If you get the chance to run in Chicago, then don’t pass it up – it’s an amazing place to visit and what better way to experience it than with over 50,000 others…”

Amongst the 50,000 others was Jack Shawcross, who summed his run up with: “Buzzing. Shot for 2:44 and died but shook hands with 2:50 and a great time.”