His neck of the woods

He wasn’t the only person in the race. He wasn’t even the only celebrity in the race, but, NBC’s Today Show’s Weatherman Al Roker was without doubt one of the favorite runners on Sunday. It takes courage to start a half marathon. It takes an additional measure of courage when your life changes have been so public and was thoroughly profiled as Al’s. He get’s a big thumbs up from me.

Al may be unusual, but he is my no means unique. In many ways he represents the character of this generation of runners. He is a guy, like so many others, who took control of his life, changed his lifestyle, became more active, and literally changed his life with his own two feet. It isn’t easy. All of us who have done it know that. I’m sure that Al, like many of us, struggles every day with the Al that used to be, the Al that is, and the Al that he wants to be.

I was announcing at the start and finish so I got to see Al as he began his journey and as he celebrated his victory. To be honest he looked a bit nervous as he came past me. I would be too. Unlike most of us, if he wasn’t successful, it would be well documented. That’s a lot of pressure.

But as he crossed the finish line of his first half marathon he had the same smile of satisfaction that we all have. His celebrity meant nothing at that point. He, like everyone else, had to earn the finisher’s medal. And he did. Congratulations Al.

All the participants were treated to a great race. Brooks Running has this giant inflatable across the course. Even the Chicago Police got a kick out of that. And the views of the city in the early morning are just spectacular.

In the end, though, this race like every other race is about what it feels like to finish. It’s about the emotions that explode as you cross that finish line and know that you’ve done it.

Many of you know that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon is the race that used to be called The Chicago Distance Classic and that John Bingham Racing owned and produced the race for 7 years. Our goal was create a great race for the Chicago running community. We brought the event from 2400 participants in 2002 to 11,000 in 2008. It was very satisfying.

But the race has gone beyond my wildest dreams. It is not only a great race for Chicago runners, but a fantastic experience for runners and walkers from all over the world. I feel like a proud father watching his child grow up. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Waddle on,

John “the Penguin” Bingham, Competitor Magazine columnist Author, The Courage to Start, No Need for Speed, Marathoning for Mortals and Running for Mortals.

Have a question for John? E-mail it to thepenguin@johnbingham.com.