The Chicago Heat - Will There Be Ramifications?

The comments on some of the blogs and some of the stories about today's Chicago Marathon that I've seen make me think that there could be some major changes in how marathons are handled if there are heat problems. Already one death has been reported, and it's possible there will be more. The comments on this blog are mixed, but one gets the idea that a) if running officials hadn't canceled the race, it could have been a lot worse and b) if New York faces a similar situation, they'll be a lot quicker in pulling the plug. Note the number of races that NYRR has made "fun runs" because of weather conditions; one wonders what would happen if it's the New York Marathon?

88 Degrees of Separation

Eighty-eight friggin' degrees in the first week of October in Chicago. Can't imagine what it was like to try to race (we'll try to get some race feedback from some of the runners). At the Bed-Stuy 10K, it was "only" 82 degrees and felt a lot hotter - a reasonably flat course made that much tougher by the lack of shade along most of the way.

We'll post top Brooklyn finishers from Chicago, as well as results from some the local races as soon as they are available.

Grete's Gallop Results

Marilyn Charles, 39, was the top Brooklyn woman to finish today's half-marathon in Central Park, clocking a 1:26:57, good enough for eighth overall and second in her division. Other results are here.

Upcoming Races

Plenty of races to choose from as the weather (hopefully, finally) turns cooler:

Sunday, Oct. 7: The 11^th annual Eileen Dugan 5K takes place. Start time is 10 a.m. over at 4^th Place and Court Street. The cost is $15, with proceeds benefiting the Circle of Hope Cancer Foundation. The race is done in conjunction with Brooklyn Road Runners.

Sunday, Oct 7: The 26^th annual Bed-Stuy 10K kicks off at 10 a.m. as part of the Bed-Stuy Gateway Family Fun Fest. The race starts at 1368 Fulton Street.

Sunday, Oct. 14: New York Road Runners hosts the Staten Island Half Marathon at 9:40 a.m. The race starts over by the Staten Island Yankees ballpark. If you’re lacking a car, the best way to get over there is by the ferry (which packs up pretty quickly - make sure you’re on the 8:30 a.m. at the latest).

Sunday, Oct. 14: Cross-country runners get a chance to stride through the trails at Van Cortlandt Park in the Harry Murphy 5K. The race starts at 11:30 a.m. (Allow for at least 90 minutes of travel on the subway on a Sunday morning).

Sunday, Oct. 14: Those looking to stay in Brooklyn on this Sunday morning can head down to Bay Ridge for the Women Against Violence 5K. Start time is 10 a.m., over at John Paul Jones Park at the intersection of 101^st Street and Fourth Ave. The race is done in conjunction with Brooklyn Road Runners.

Bed-Stuy 10K this weekend.

Sunday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. Worth checking out for those of you who aren't doing the Grete's Gallop the previous day.

Marion Jones

Numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, are reporting that Marion Jones will plead guilty to lying about her use of steroids before the 2000 Olympic Games. That may mean her five medals (three gold, two bronze) will be taken away.

Runner's World, Meet Brooklyn

There's not one, but two Brooklyn references in the latest issue of Runner's World.

A letter by Donnell Suggs, now of Atlanta, reminisces about "the Brooklyn Bridge mile and runs through Prospect Park at night."

There's also a photo of the Brooklyn Bridge Park as part of an article by Ed Eyestone on how to hit your target tempo pace. For those who haven't run there, it's a nice addition to any run near the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, or the Promenade.