Fun run!

Chicago Marathon spectator guide
Where to watch the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon—and why.

How to spot a runner in a marathon
40,000 runners will run the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon; here are tips on how to find your friend.

Post-marathon traditions
Runners and fans share how they celebrate the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Free drinks for marathon runners
Running the marathon has its perks—namely, free breakfast and beer.

PLUS

Rob Chenoweth interview
This reader-model is going to kick some ass in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday 11. Get to know this guy and you can’t help rooting for him.

Chicago’s 10 best running shops
Before you pound the pavement, suit up with spiffy duds and accessories at these athletic stores.

Name that tune
The fastest athletes racing Sunday 11’s Chicago Marathon share their favorite training tunes.

Ready to run
Before they run the big race, these first-time marathoners tell us their biggest sacrifices, favorite spots to run in the city and more.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon race director
For the 20th year running, Carey Pinkowski will steer his year-round staff, hundreds of volunteers and city workers, and a race-day crowd of 45,000 to the finish line on October 11.

Photo gallery
Elite runners of the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Running your mouth
Marathoners sometimes seem to speak an entirely different language. Use this cheat sheet to decode their pre- and post-race utterings.