10/12/2025
The Bank Of America Chicago Marathon
Chicago, Illinois
Scott Orlando
Finish time: 3:58:01
Overall Place: 22,361st Place
Division Place: 764th Place
Kristi Quesenberry Gunyula was at the race providing support to local runners.
Race Recap By Scott Orlando:
The Bank Of America Chicago Marathon was my first World Major marathon. I have so many thoughts and feelings about it that I could write pages about the experience, but I will try to keep it as short as possible. Leading up to the race I had a medical issue and lost several key training weeks. I was able to get my training back on track enough to give me the confidence that I could at least start and finish the race. As I began my taper I developed some lower back pain. Despite my best efforts that pain and tightness stayed with me. If it where a local race I probably would have dropped out to rest and recover but this was the Chicago Marathon so I decided to give it a go.
One important part of running the Bank Of America Chicago Marathon is the logistic about how to get there and where to stay. Chicago can be very expensive during the marathon weekend. Luckily I was able (through the help of our local run groups) to secure a spot with a group of runners from my area some of which I knew and others that I had just met. I must say that these runners were all very fast which was a little intimidating. I quickly found the group to be very supportive and a lot of fun to be around. Three of us drove Friday morning to Chicago and headed straight to the expo. Packet pick up was very fast and well organized. The expo itself was large and super crowded. There was lots to do and see. Unfortunately there were extremely long lines to do and see most of the fun things. We checked out some vendors, took some pictures, and did a meet and greet with Olympic Distance Runner Clayton Young.
Saturday morning we headed to the New Balance Store for an organized shake out run. Over 2000 people showed up. Participants received hats and t-shirts. Former Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi was there and we got to speak with him and get some pictures. After the run the New Balance store had an open house with great food, prizes, and free custom shirts. I received a run tank and chose to have RUN CHI put on it. Next it was back to the Air BB to rest and carb load. The final house guest arrived who flew in that day and other local runners came to the house to eat and watch college football games. Finally it was off to bed early to get up at 3:30 am to check out of the Air BB and head to our prepaid parking close to Grant Park and the Hilton where other runners from the group were staying. We all met up at the Hilton and walked to Grant Park. From there they all went to coral A and I made my way to coral F. A stop at the gear check then it was time to stand in line for the bathrooms. The corals got tight as we got closer to the 8:00 am start time. As it got close to 8:00 am we were released to walk closer and closer to the start line. My nerves were kicking in wondering what I had gotten myself into and if the back would hold on for 26.2 miles. At 8:00 am we were off and running. The number of runners and spectators was overwhelming. The crowd noise was defining. Spectators were 10 deep on both sides of the sidewalk and above on balconies of buildings. The first 4 miles I was feeling the emotions of the experience. I had planned on starting the race without any music or ear buds to take in all the sounds and sites of the experience and then use them once I settled in. It didn’t take long to realize I wouldn’t be able to hear any music I played because the crowds were so loud.
My race plan was to start at around an 8:30 pace and hope to not fall off below a 9:00 minute pace. Knowing GPS watches don’t function well around the tall buildings of Chicago I was referring to a pace chart I had printed and kept in my pocket. For most of the first half of the race I was on pace and felt comfortable. Nearing the halfway point my back started to tighten which began to slow down my pace. Self doubt start to kick in and thoughts of not being able to finish were dancing in my head. I was thinking about all the friends and family back home tracking and supporting me. That motivated me and I began to focus on one mile at a time. Once I hit mile 20 my confidence grew and I felt like I could finish the race. I was taking advantage of the Bio Freeze on the course to try to keep my back loose. I don’t know if it helped but mentally it certainly did. As I got to around mile 22 the course got narrow and was very crowded. Runners were stopping and walking in front of me making me stop. The hydration stations in the late miles were difficult to navigate and maintain any kind of pace as well with the tightness of the areas and runners stopping. At mile 24 my hamstring and quad started cramping. I got off to the side and stretched it for about a minute and then was able to consume some more Salt Stick Fast Chews and my last Carb Boom Energy Gel which helped with the cramps. I logged a few 10 minute miles late in the race. I was actually running still at a 9 minute pace but all of the forced stopping cut into my time on the course. Mile 25 most runners seemed to regroup for one last push to the finish. The last section of the course was a bridge with a pretty decent incline. I saw several runners bonk out with medical staff attending to them on the hill. I felt bad they had come so far only to miss the finish line by 400 meters. After the hill it was just 200 meters left to cross the finish line. My body was done and I was happy to see it!
The finish shoot was long with stops for finisher medals. heat shields, food, and drinks. The exit of the shoots took runners back to gear check which was located near the Buckingham Memorial Fountain. The sunny was out and it was beautiful weather. Many runners were sitting around the fountain and taking pictures. The large open areas around the fountain made for a great post race area. I was just enjoying the moment and taking it all in. My goal was to finish in 3:40:00 to 3:50:00 but my actual finish time was 3:58:01. I didn’t hit my goal time, but I did finish a World Major Marathon so I have a lot to be excited about. I was really impressed with how well organized every aspect of the race was.
Overall the race was (possibly) a once in a lifetime experience I won’t soon forget. I am so thankful for the group of runners that allowed me to join them on this adventure. They were all so supportive, friendly, motivating, and inspiring. Being with them truly made the experience unforgettable. They say the person that starts a marathon is not the same person that finishes one. This experience has taught me so much. I hope to use the experience to continue to grow as a person and better runner. I thank and appreciate everyone that supported me, tracked, me, and motivated me through this entire journey and experience.
