Marathon Does It Again: 45,000 Strong

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is doing just fine. Weathering a storm of criticism last year when extreme heat caused the race to be stopped, Chicago reached its 45,000-runner limit on Wednesday, four weeks faster than last year. You can still get in via the charity route, but for all practical purposes, entries are closed. This only can mean that races in Milwaukee, Twin Cities and other locations soon will close as well as the Chicago trickle-down effect goes into action. Kenyan sensations Martin Lel (London winner) and Robert Cheruiyot (Boston winner) won't be running Chicago. Both were named to their nation's Olympic team on Wednesday. For the full press release, click here: http://chicagoruntimesfeature.blogspot.com/