The Bank of America’s Chicago Marathon (formerly the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon) is a major marathon held yearly in Chicago. Alongside the Boston, New York, London and Berlin Marathons, it is one of the five World Marathon Majors. The October 7, 2007 running was the 30th Anniversary running of the race. It has been run every year since the September 25, 1977 running of the first race under the original name the Mayor Daley Marathon drew a field of 4200 runners. It is among the fastest growing marathon road races in the world, due in part to its largely fast and flat course which facilitates the pursuit of personal records and world record performances. The race has achieved its elite status among marathons by developing relationship with sponsors who provide prize money to lure elite runners who have produced American and world record performances.

The Chicago Marathon gets underway this Sunday in temperatures expected to peak at 78 degrees. While much cooler than last year’s 88 degrees, experts stressed Saturday that hydration is important under any conditions.

Among the tips:

•Don’t drink too much water: Excess water dilutes sodium in the body and causes hyponatremia, a rare but dangerous condition in which water does not reach essential parts of the body.

•Drink steadily: Not too much at the start or the end.

•Alternate: Between water and sports drink, which provides much-needed sodium and carbohydrates.

•Caution with carb gels: If you take carbohydrate gels, take them with water to avoid an upset stomach.

Experts said that after the race, runners should get on the scale and drink the same amount of weight that they dropped, and should replenish the body’s sodium (with salty food) and protein (possibly with a nutrition shake because solid foods might cause stomach trouble).

However, Carrie Tollefson, who ran track for the U.S. at the 2004 Olympics, warned that runners should have figured out their own strategies during training.

“Don’t try something new,” Tollefson said.

Yolanda Evans, 42, of Cincinnati said she just listens to her body.

Some numbers from the past:
October 7, 2007
Finishers: 28815, Males – 16945 , Females – 11870
Male Winner: 2:11:11 Patrick Ivuti from Kenya | Female Winner: 2:33:49 Berhane Adere Ethiopia
Average Finish Time: 4:52:11 | STD: 0:45:33