Evanston Running Club

Nearly 100 Evanston Running Club volunteers, including Coach Vinny Finneran's ETHS Cross Country Wildkits, battled the elements in the record-breaking heat to pour Gatorade into cups, into bottles, into cupped hands and even directly into mouths for thousands of over-heated runners.  It was hard work, it was fun work and it was very well-appreciated work, as told by one of our own, Robert Lundgren, who was one of the 24 members and friends who ran the race....

"The fans really stepped up in an emergency and we all should be thankful to the people that were organized and un-organized to help. I give all compliments to the LaSalle Bank Marathon leadership for calling the race, for it was the right thing to do. There was plenty of water/Gatorade on the course in my eyes, but people were pouring most of it on their own heads and thus the help could not keep up with the needs.  I still commend them for helping and they did a great job. No complaints with the organization of race help. From Greek town on I am so grateful to the fans for they saw the emergency and reached into their pockets buying liquids, popsickels, ice, etc. to lend a hand. This is the real story of how the city fans came to help. I begin to tear up when I think of all the people who were in trouble and the empathy of the fans really showed that we are all human and need to lend a hand. 350 went to the hospital, but there were thousands of people in trouble that needed help and the good hearted people of Chicago were there with the arms open!" 

Our stint at Aid Staion #5, at the 17K/10.5-mi mark, lasted from 5:30 AM until about noon... 1/2-hour after the race was officially called off, the "end of race" car had gone through and with people still walking the course... we always see a terrific display of courage and determination, every time we do it! Even the King, himself, paid a visit in the heat!

If you missed it this year, be sure and join us next year, when BofA wil continue the great tradition of the Chicago Marathon!

See more photos of our Volunteers or the Racers & Runners  (and many thanks to Deborah Lawrence, Dave Boyce and Lori Vernon for the terrific photos!)