Chagrin in Chicago; Steamtown Lives up to its Namesake

It looks like the Cubs aren't the only Chicago athletic franchise suffering from some seriously impaired mojo. This year's Chicago Marathon wasn't the Dante's Inferno of 2007, but it was still more Miami than Magnificent Mile. Hills are a challenge, and rain just plain sucks, but nothing will sink a marathon time faster than heat and humidity. Most of our YMCARunners had to adjust their race strategies from "goal time" to "I just want to finish this thing." For instance, Donnie McCammon (2:53 at '08 Boston) decided by mile seven that he wasn't going to sweat through another Chicago race after posting a stunning 3:18 time in 88 degrees in '07. So Donnie saved his race for New York and enjoyed the Chicago sights with his sister, Amanda, who enjoyed the company. Congratulations to all of our YMCARunners for completing yet another tough Chicago marathon.

Carlos Pereyra 3:17:53

Dan Traver 4:08:02

Donald McCammon 4:05:36

Amanda McCammon 4:03:19

Mike Hoffman 4:05:17

Joel Remigio 3:59:24

2008 STEAMTOWN MARATHON

YMCARunners David Dix, Judge Alan Lawson and Tim Perry took on what is heavily touted as "America's Best Downhill Course." Well, mostly downhill. What the race organizers don't advertise is the killer inclines at the end just before you come into lovely Scranton, PA (the "Paris of Northeast PA"). What ever happened to truth in advertising? No matter, our YMCARunners kept running full steam ahead, even though the race end was a bit steamy with unseasonably warm temperatures.

David Dix 3:08:54

Tim Perry 3:41:06

Alan Lawson 3:41:11