Best sights and sounds from 2024 Chicago Marathon

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - It's called the Chicago Marathon, but really it belongs to the world.

Runners from all over the globe converged on Chicago's streets Sunday  to run 26.2 miles on a lovely autumn day.

"Sweet Home Chicago" opened its arms and its streets to runners from all over.

WBBM spoke to folks from Taiwanand met a group of runners from Ireland.

The marathon officials said runners from all 50 states and 137 countries laced up  this year.

More than 800 marathons are organized every year around the world,  but only six have the title of World Marathon Major. That includes Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, New York and Chicago.

More than 50,000 runners were expected to participate Sunday, making it the largest field in Chicago Marathon history. Officials also anticipated more than one million fans to watch.

Each runner carried their own story and motivations.

Matt Merkle from Des Plaines was running for World Vision.

“We do it for a great cause, for clean water for kids all over the world who don’t have clean water,” Merkle said. “I don’t wonder why I do it, I know why I do it.”

Merkle added that even late in the grueling race it’s not difficult to stay focused.

World Vision is one of the many charities that will benefit from the marathon.

Another is AMVETS. They  will receive all the clothes discarded by runners at the starting line.

History was also made Sunday at the Chicago Marathon.

Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya set the women’s world record for fastest marathon ever, with a time of 2:09:56.

On the men’s side, fellow Kenyan John Korir finished first, at an unofficial time of 2:02:44 seconds.

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