<P> In the early years the Chicago Marathon was held in August . It has from its inception with 4,200 runners and 2,128 finishers been one of the nation's largest marathons . The 2000 running was second only to New York . The 1979 and 1980 events, however, continued to be gatherings of amateur runners . By 1982, the race finally had sufficient prize money to attract world class athletes . The 1982 was the first with world class times such as the 2: 10: 59 by Greg Meyer . By 1983, the Chicago Marathon had achieved its status as one of America's most important marathons . In 1984, Beatrice raised the purse to $250,000 ($50,000 more than New York's). The race had become a legitimate rival to New York and continues to vie for top runners . The 1985 race was spectacular with Steve Jones breaking his own course record (2 seconds short of the world record) and Joan Benoit Samuelson the 1984 Olympic Champion, two - time defending Chicago Marathon Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist, Rosa Mota and the fourth place Olympic finisher and world record setting Ingrid Kristiansen . Benoit set a record that stood nearly a generation . At that time, it was considered the premier marathon in the United States, if not the world . Although 1986 had 40 world - class runners among the 8,000 participants the times paled in comparison . Beatrice dropped out as a sponsor in 1987 . Because of this only a half - marathon race was held that year and the marathon was moved to the spring of 1988 and attracted Heileman Brewing Company to sponsor the 1988 Old Style Chicago Marathon . The race resulted in three women who had been passed over for the 1988 Games of the XXIV Olympiad placing in the top positions . In 1991, Heileman discontinued its sponsorship and both the prize money and performances waned . In 1992, the race again had no sponsorship, but 1993 brought new sponsor LaSalle Bank . In 1994, the race became the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon . In 1996, LaSalle Bank purchased the Chicago Marathon from Major Events, Inc., who had purchased the race three years prior from Flaherty . In 1998, the race began using transponder timing . In 2001, when Catherine Ndereba broke the women's world record marathon time, both the men's and women's then - current world records had been set at the Chicago Marathon . For 2008, the race was sponsored by Bank of America following the purchase of LaSalle Bank from ABN Amro to Bank of America, and the new title will be in use . </P> <P> In 2007 Bank of America acquired LaSalle Bank's parent company ABN AMRO North America in 2007 and assumed the races title sponsorship . The 2007 race made history with the first ever CEO Marathon Challenge . The race featured a special competition among the CEOs, presidents, company owners and c - suite executives of companies with at least $5 million in annual gross revenue ($2.5 million for women). The 2007 race also made history for having three (men's, women's & men's wheelchair) of its four races decided in the final 100 meters in a day of record setting heat . The race was partially shut down early (after three and a half hours) as temperatures rose to an unseasonably hot 88 ° F (31 ° C), which surpassed both the temperature records for the Chicago Marathon and official Chicago records for October 7 . Over 10,000 registrants chose not to run in the record temperatures, while 10,934 people did not finish (many were called after the course closed early for safety). One runner died, over 30 were hospitalized, and over 400 others sought medical attention . Marathon owner and sponsor Bank of America, which had just acquired LaSalle Bank, has denied culpability . Similar hot conditions have been experienced in other city centre races . In London in 2003 The British 10K also had extremely hot weather that affected many runners . </P> <P> The marathon course is a loop course, starting and ending at Grant Park . From here, the current course winds through 29 of the city's neighborhoods . The course loop can be generally divided into three sections: North, West, and South . Near each of these directions, three of the city's main stadiums are nearby at their turning points . Wrigley Field is near the north . The United Center is to the west . US Cellular Field is to the south . On the other hand, Soldier Field is located near the start / finish area . </P> <P> For the first three miles, runners wind through Chicago's downtown area . Eventually, they head north along LaSalle Street . </P>

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