Marathon 2011

The Bank of Chicago Marathon was full of wonderful moments as Moses Mosop of Kenya and Liliya Shobukhova of Russia blazed to the finish line, Mosop setting a Chicago record and Shobukhova winning here for the third time. As you undoubtedly know, a tragic moment also occurred as a 35-year-old father of two from North Carolina died after going down with about 500 feet to go. It's not the first time this has happened in Chicago. It is sad and does taint the overall joy that typifies a marathon Sunday in Chicago. But as awkward as it is to get back to the results, here goes. Mosop, 26, proved he is for real, winning in 2:05:37. Second went to Wesley Korir, 28, of Kenya, who finished in 2:06:15. You'll remember that Korir was the guy who didn't start in the elite wave two years ago but placed, eventually getting prize money. Third went to Bernard Kipyego, 25, of Kenya, in 2:06:29. Shobukhova, 33, ran her best marathon yet with a powerful 2:18:20. Ejegayehu Dibaba, 29, of Ethiopia, was second in 2:22:09. Kayoko Fukushi, 29, of Japan, was third in 2:24:38. On the local level, Chicago-area runners did quite well. Brandon Mull, 25, of Wheaton, was the top area male with a 2:22:34. He was followed by Brent Alexander, 31, of Chicago, in 2:27:45; Logan Beausoleil, 24, of Gurnee, in 2:27:59; Ryan Giuliano, 26, of Schaumburg, in 2:29:11; and Todd Ptacek, 26, of Chicago, in 2:31:59. Top area women were Christina Overbeck, 25, of Oak Park, in 2:47:07 (great time); Amy Haney, 38, of Libertyville, in 2:50:31; Kristen Heckert, 24, of Sugar Grove, in 2:51:04; Angelina Anliker, 31, of Chicago, in 2:52:24; and Jean Marinangeli, 27, of Schaumburg, in 2:56:03. It's recovery time. Congrats to all who ran. Thanks to all who volunteered.