(Newswire.net — October 14, 2013) Chicago, Illinois — Sunday, October 13, 2013 is a date full of thirteens and maybe now in Chicago, in the future, 13 will be a lucky number. It was a beautiful day for a marathon. It could not have been a prettier more perfect day if we had technology to create weather as we want it. Clear, comfortable in the 60s with no rain and fresh air. Even if you don’t run, it is the kind of day that makes you want to run and be happy.
Today was a happy day in Chicago.
40,200 came to run and 1.7 million came to watch and cheer. No bad news to report here in Chicago.
Dennis Kimetto of Kenya set a new course record with a time of 2:03 minutes 45 seconds. That means he ran the 26.2 mile course at an average pace of 12.78 miles per hour. The average speed of a CTA, Chicago Transit Authority, bus is 8.7 miles per hour.
If there was race between Dennis Kimetto and a CTA bus running the marathon course. The bus would have crossed the finish line in 3 hours and 40 seconds, behind thousands of runners and almost an hour behind Kimetto.
Kimetto is the record we read about.
Kimetto runs at the mind blowing speed that only a human can run for distance. He ran the 26.2 miles in just over hours.
Distance running is a uniquely human gift.
Humans are not the strongest animal. Humans are not the fastest animal. Humans are not the most flexible animal. Humans have limitations on sight, sound and smell compared to many animals. Humans do excel in endurance running. No other animal can run the distances a human can or even appears to want to.
A very, very long time ago humans learned they could overcome almost any animal by wearing them down. The animal could run away but we humans are persistent. We push ourselves beyond any barrier. Our ancestors could run an animal to death over a long distance.
These uniquely human attributes of being not only able to run very long distances but want to, even when the need to run another animal to death for food is not needed, sets us apart from all animals. In history humans have had long distance runners deliver messages. The most famous is to the Greek city of Marathon. What is the message here?
The Chicago Marathon tour of the city.
The marathon starts in Millennium Park. The park is center of activity, art and music. In the summer there are free concerts. There is the world renowned Chicago Art Institute. The view from the park is a history of modern architecture. A perfect start to a perfect event,
The course weaves through a city of neighborhoods. Chicago has been a new beginning for many. The neighborhoods grew naturally as people came and gathered amongst others from their native country. When you run the marathon in Chicago you find yourself surrounded by tall buildings, buildings that are works of art. Chicago’s streets are wide and the river runs through it. Somehow you never feel crowded but you might find yourself with new friends you have not met yet.
Luis Aquilar was one of those. He came to Chicago from South Florida not to race but to pace.
Nike sponsors pace teams. Each team has three pacers. Each team has a pace time to keep.
Luis has been to the Chicago Marathon four times. He came one time to race and three times to pace. When he raced in Chicago in 2009 he completed the course in 3:18:16, an excellent race.
When you talk with Luis you find yourself caught up in a world where running marathons has given him a way to help others. It is great to achieve and even better to help others achieve as well. This is how Luis celebrates what he see as his gift as a runner
As a Nike Pacer, his job is to maintain a pace where those that run with him, and the other two pacers for his time, will complete the course just under their assigned course time of 3:50. They completed in 3:49:20. A pacer is there to coach, guide, inspire, encourage, support and be there for others, a quality that Luis has. Luis fundraises with Miles of Blessings where he raises monies for the American Autism Association, Inc.
Many records were set today.
Many go home feeling now life is a bit better. We won’t read about all the personal records and achievements. Those stories will be passed on as stories have been for thousands of years. They will share in families, with friends, with coworkers and in our communities. Running connects people together and to our distant past.
Chicago is one of America’s treasures.
It’s history is full of drama, brilliance and lots of humor. It is a uniquely human city. Chicago was the perfect place for a uniquely human event on this 13th day of October in 2013. The place where 13 becomes a lucky number. It was a time and a place where the weather could not be better for a brilliant race. A place where over 1.7 million got together to celebrate what only humans do and we did peacefully, safely and became better for it.
It was a perfect day in Chicago..
John K Arnold is a Newswire featured author. He has over 35 years of business experience including doing online marketing and business since the 1990s. He is also a managing general agent for international insurance carriers. He specializes in professional athlete disability income insurance and pro-athlete life and AD&D insurance worldwide. His international insurance includes individual and group international health, travel and life insurance including in war zones and political hotspots.
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