Spectators make their way through Chicago‎ Marathon

2010 Chicago Marathon Street Closure Schedule,

2010 Chicago Marathon Street-by-Street Time & Location,

2010 Chicago Marathon Course Map,

About 45,000 people, representing 106 countries and all 50 states, will take to the city's streets in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Sunday morning. They will be cheered along the way by an estimated 1.7 million spectators, according to race officials.

Now in its 33rd year, the marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. in Grant Park, where it will finish, as well. Along the way it will wind through numerous Chicago neighborhoods, including Old Town, Greektown, Chinatown, Lincoln Park and Lakeview.

Participants and spectators are encouraged to use the CTA. The CTA says it will have longer trains operating on the Brown, Green, Blue, Orange, Pink and Red lines for the marathon. Service on the Brown, Green and Purple lines will begin earlier than normal Sunday morning, a release from the CTA said.

Brown Line service into the Loop will begin earlier than normal, with the first train departing Kimball at 5 a.m., providing service to downtown. Green Line service will begin earlier than normal, with the first trains departing from Harlem/Lake at 5:30 a.m., 63rd/Ashland at 5:20 a.m. and 63rd/Cottage Grove at 5:40 a.m. Purple Line service will begin earlier than normal, with the first train departing from Linden at 5:30 a.m., providing service to Howard where customers can transfer to the Red Line for service to downtown.

The CTA will operate earlier service on the No. 3 King Drive bus route between McCormick Place and Chicago/Mies van der Rohe from 5:30 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. to accommodate runners and spectators.

CTA personnel will be on duty at select stations along the Blue, Red, Green, Brown, Pink and Orange lines and at major bus stops to assist customers and to provide travel information.

Because bus routes in the vicinity of the marathon also will be impacted with intermittent reroutes or delays due to lane closures, the CTA recommends that riders allow extra travel time.

Marathon officials expect to go through 54,600 gallons of water, 45,000 bananas, 32,000 bagels, and more than 46,000 gallons of Gatorade.

When runners take their spots at the start of the marathon, many of them toss off a layer of clothing that they wear over their running clothes. Last year, 350 pounds of this discarded clothing was collected and donated to Chicago’s Pacific Garden Mission, according to the marathon. Additionally, in 2009, 34,705 pounds of fresh and unused food and water was collected at the finish line and donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The top male and female finisher each will get a $75,000 prize. There are also bonuses tied to top finishing times.

(source:wlsam.com)