Chicago Marathon Disaster

I’ve been reading the reports about the Chicago Marathon disaster.

If I had been a participant, training many many weeks and many many miles for this race, not to mention travel expenses…I’d be extremely peeved at the race organizers for failing to provide enough water and gatorade.

“By the first or second water station, they were out, and they were apologizing, saying, ‘Just run a mile or two and there’ll be more water,'”

You can’t run 1 or 2 more miles in 88 degree heat when you are thirsty! That is simple unimaginable.

“Organizers insisted Monday that they adjusted their plans for the heat and boosted the number of drink servings at the race’s 15 aid stations to 1.8 million from 1.6 million, as well as adding misting areas, extra ice and water-soaked sponges for the 35,000 runners.”

From 1.6 to 1.8 million gallons of water. Hmmm…let’s do the math:
(1.8-1.6)/1.6 = .125 x 100 = 12.5% more water.
Uh, hello, that’s not enough! That’s not even on the same page as enough. What the hell were they thinking?

When I run in 70 degrees, I drink 20 ounces of water per hour. When it’s 90 degrees, I drink 50 ounces of water per hour. That’s more than double the amount of water. And they thought 12.5% more was enough???? AND…when I run in the heat, I conserve every drop of water because I have to carry it all myself. i don’t pour any of it over my head!

Race organizers blamed shortages of water to participants pouring it over their heads. Every race I’ve ever done, no matter what the temperature, athletes pour water over their heads. That is normal race behavior.

“Probably we should have been a little more proactive about that,” executive race director Carey Pinkowski said.

Ya think?

“..angry participants detouring into convenience stores in search of the hydration they say they couldn’t find along the course. “

Great idea: Carry some cash with you when you do a long race like this!

Link to AP article about the Failed Chicago Marathon.

Good YouTube Videos:

Aide Stations running out of water:
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbZTI7Cw0rM 150 150]
Spectator with a hose:
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53N6LKqNtMg&NR=1 150 150]

Here’s a great link on what to do when racing in hot weather (scroll down to bullet points at the bottom of the page). Probably the most important tip this author gives is to back off on your race goal!