Oct. 09--Sunday's warmer weather will be less than ideal for Chicago marathon runners, especially those who plan to complete the marathon later in the day, officials said.
The event alert system for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is at yellow as of Friday morning, which means that runners should slow down and be prepared for worsening conditions.
Amy Seeley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said temperatures at the start of the race will be in the mid-50s and stay in the 60s for the majority of the race, hitting the mid-70s by 1 p.m. It also will be a little windy, with 15 to 25 mph winds gusting to 30 mph in the afternoon.
"Obviously it's warmer than usual for this time of year," Seeley said. "If you're going to be a spectator, it looks like it's going to be a gorgeous day."
George Chiampas, the medical director of the race, wrote in an email that runners should drink enough fluids to maintain their baseline body weight but avoid over-hydration. He suggested that runners drink both water and sports drinks; adjust their pace to avoid overheating; and wear lightweight, breathable fabrics, sunglasses and waterproof sunscreen. More than 2,100 medical personnel will be working at the race.
In 2007, temperatures reached a high of 87 and organizers halted the race. About 50 people were hospitalized, and a 35-year-old died due to a heart condition.
grwong@tribpub.com
