Oct 9, 2008 5:40 pm US/Central
Chicago Marathon Safety Measures Increased
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
It was a year ago this month that the Chicago marathon was shut down because of the heat. Many runners were taken to the hospital. One even died. This year, changes have been made to the course.
CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports that this year the Chicago Marathon will feature nearly 6,000 international athletes from more than 100 different countries. It is an opportunity to showcase the city's organizational prowess on a global stage as Chicago vies to play host to the 2016 Olympic Games. An opportunity that's all the more important in the wake of last year's race day debacle.
With its unbelievable finishes over the years, the Chicago Marathon has never lacked drama. But last year's race was even more dramatic because of who didn't finish.
One man died after becoming overcome by heat. Hundreds more had to be treated for heat-related illness. Thousands had to be bussed across the finish line after the race was called off. One problem - a water shortage. Runner Katie Copp experienced it firsthand.
"This is painful. There's no water," Copp said. "I was picking up glasses off the street, drinking out of fire hydrants."
Despite that experience, this Chicago woman plans to run her fifth marathon this year.
"It's become an addiction," Copp said. "It's something that I love to do. It's fun. The crowd support is great."
This year, 45,000 runners will crowd the streets of 29 Chicago neighborhoods for what should be the largest marathon the city has ever seen. Race organizers say it should be safer than ever.
This year, for the first time, the course will be lined with a flag-based alert system. The color-coded flags will range from black signifying dangerous conditions to green meaning good conditions. Past participants say it should make for a better race.
"I think as far as the event coordinating is concerned, it's going to be much more precise," said Matthew Church, runner. "There will be less confusion."
Many marathoners say last year's temperatures were alarmingly hot which caused people to drink massive amounts of water within the first few miles of the race. But it could be quite warm again this year with possible highs in the 80s on Sunday. That's why some runners say they plan to bring their own supplies of water just in case.
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