Chicago Marathon Ends Early, One Runner Dies
Race officials ended the Chicago Marathon early today after the extremely high temperatures led to a water shortage and many ill runners. The temperature reached a record high of 88 degrees. One runner died after collapsing near mile 19.
Chad Schieber, of Midland, Mich., collapsed during the race near 1500 S. Ashland Ave., according to a spokesman for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
Schieber was taken to West Side Veteran’s Administration Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:50 p.m., the spokesman said.
Additionally, more than 300 people were hospitalized with heat related illness. All along the course, the medical tents were filled with runners sitting or laying down, completely spent as a result of the heat.
I can tell you from personal experience that the water shortage started very early for the middle-to-back of the packers. Thankfully the people of Chicago were wonderful and were bringing water out of their homes and business to help out the thirsty runners.
It is unfortunate that the race officials did not plan accordingly after the temperatures were forecast to be in high 80s since at least a week ago. For a race of this caliber to actually run out of water and gatorade is unacceptable.
It was the first time in the 30 year history that the race ended early.
Chicago marathon, marathon, Chicago, Chad Schieber
October 7th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Wow. I was very worried about this when I read in the Trib about local cross country runners in trouble. How horrible but how wonderful that Chicagoans helped out. It certainly shows the spirit of the city in which we live.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
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