With over 14,000 runners participating in the event, the 2010 Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon had overwhelming participation.
People came from various areas to run the event.
Bobby Dobroski, summer camp director and runner was running as a coach for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training Program.
“My philosophy is: you can be happy or miserable, the distance is going to be the same either way,” Dobroski said.
Not everyone finished, but most stayed to cheer participators on.
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Kevin Kuhns, from Peoria, Ill. started the full marathon run, but had to drop out early on because of knee problems. He cheered on runners, ringing a cowbell for nearly an hour.
“Running in these events is fun because you can find someone at about your level and keep pace with each other,” Kuhns said.
Fans lined up to watch runners through the entire course offering various forms of support.
Thibaud Smerko, senior in Economics was watching his friends and taking photos on Green St.
“It’s pretty motivating to watch. It makes me want to run a marathon. I’m in pretty good shape, but this is really something else,” Smerko said.
David Olsen, student body president was at the marathon cheering on his father, who ran the half.
“I used to be able to run a half and I still enjoy running, but I don’t have much time for it these days,” Olsen said. “The course for the marathon is great. Last year my father talked about how great it is to be able to run and see a lot of each community at the same time.”
There was a large number of volunteers to ensure that the event ran smoothly and everyone received water or Gatorade.
Mary Carlton, faculty member and Kinesiology Student Association advisor lead one of the 15 water stations.
“We started organizing this aspect of the event last year, but we didn’t contact the student team (of water distributors) until March,” Carlton said. “The students don’t compete to see who can hand out the most cups or anything. You have to just let the runner come to you.”
Staff member Danny Mueller contributed to this report.
