It was yet another successful Chicago Marathon for Rank Strangers Randy and Denise Meacham this morning - both cracking 4 hours just two weeks after doing the same in the Berlin Marathon.
Meacham high school exchange students Amanda and Katrine joined son Joe to volunteer at an aid station - tough duty starting at about 5am. They met me and shuttled to the 22 mile mark to cheer on their heroes. Then on to the finish in Grant Park.
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| Amanda, Katrine, Joe, Denise, Randy |
Randy and Denise graciously complied with my viewing plan (
Link ). I regret not seeing teammate Peter Wagner on the course. I was at LaSalle and Chicago when he went through, but he eluded my camera.
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| Denise at mile 3 |
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Randy and Denise met on the course at about the
11 mile mark - just in time for me to get this picture. The
reunion was short-lived - Randy went on to finish about
15 minutes ahead of Denise. |
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| Randy with 3 miles to go |
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Denise was "taking it easy", meaning high 5's and selfies
along the course. She's due to run the Munich Marathon
next weekend, Oct. 14. You read that right: Oct. 14, 2018 |
While waiting for Randy and Denise in front of Walter Payton Prep on Wells Street (near the 11 mile mark) I observed a late-joiner - a runner clipped on a bib and joined the course. I tracked the cheater's progress using the race app; she "finished" in 3:46, a few minutes behind Randy. I don't like to think there was much of this sort of treachery out there this morning.
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| 1. The "15 mile marathoner" got assistance clipping on the race bib |
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2. She's off, stripping off the over shirt that was required for
spectators which she was herself, just minutes before. |
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| 3. Blending in with the crowd, on her way to a medal. |
A few more photos:
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| Vision impaired runners were inspirational. |
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| The guy on the right has one leg- no problem. |
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Wet and chilly in the early going - these folks MAY have
overdone it with the plastic bags |
