The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon is rapidly approaching, and right now, it seems to be the topic of all runners’ conversations. Many of those runners are our very own Collegiettes. Some of us are doing the 10k or the 5k, and others of us are preparing to run a little bit longer: the half marathon and the full marathon. With all of this talk about races, it’s easy to get confused and forget what each distance means. Here, we’ll break it down for you:
5k: This kind of race is 5,000 meters, which equals approximately 3.1 miles. The k stands for kilometers.
10k: Again, the k means kilometers, so a 10k race is 10,000 meters. Or, in simpler terms, 6.2 miles.
Half marathon: This road running event consists of 13.1 miles, precisely half the distance of a full marathon.
Marathon: Last but certainly not least, a full marathon is one of the longest running events. It is a whopping 26.2 miles.
Training and running for one of these races is a great way for Collegiettes to get in shape, work on endurance skills, and learn to love running. Wondering which race you can sign up for? Check out this list of upcoming summer races, all in the heart of Chicago:
Chicago 13.1 Marathon: This half marathon is coming up – June 9! The course is along Lake Shore Drive, so it’s sure to be a scenic journey.
Chicago Women’s Half Marathon & 5K: This race, on June 24, is perfect for any Collegiette who wants to run with other women. Since it’s both a 5k and a half, it’s the perfect race for amateurs and advanced runners.
Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series: This race is taking place on July 22. It’s a half marathon, beginning and ending in Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park.
The Champions Run: On August 11, this race will take place in Montrose Harbor, Chicago. It offers a 5k and a 10k!
Bank of America Chicago Marathon: Okay, so this final race isn’t over the summer, but it is a renowned marathon that requires lots of training. Here’s the twist: The October 2012 race is closed! So why not start training for the 2013 Chicago Marathon?
Well, ladies, there you have it. Get off the computer and start training!