Driving, Running, Biking
through Lake View:
of 1895
The race was routed through the newly formed
District of Lake View
(The City of Lake View was annexed in 1889)
Ther route of the Chicago Automobile Race of 1895
with zoomed views below
*I wish the entire legend could have been saved*
The location per number is not mentioned on the map.
My guess is the points between 13 & 14 is what was then called Evanston Avenue, now Broadway
The ‘horseless carriages’ didn't receive much notoriety until the Chicago Times-Herald offered $5,000 in prizes to the winner of a round-trip race between Chicago which included the District of Lake View and Evanston - two years later. Only two cars were able to finish despite the fact that a snow storm had deposited a foot of snow on the Chicago area two days earlier. The article below helps tell the story.
page 2
page 3
A Run through
Neighborhoods
The 'RUN' began in 1905
image above from a book called Chicago Marathon
its humble beginnings in
Ravenswood
.jpg)
shirt - Ebay
The 1977 Route
below image within Lake View
In 1977 the first mega-race in Chicago was established with the financial support of the Ravenswood Bank. It was called the Lakefront 10-Mile Run. The race was a great success, with over 1,000 runners participating. It was thought that Chicago's mainly flat terrain the race was to be a great testing ground for more hilly terrains of the East Coast. The race was referred to as The Mayor Daley Race (the first one) until LaSalle Bank became the sponsor.
Michael Bilandic, Chicago’s new mayor as of 1978, and an avid runner, was invited to the event along with his wife who distribute awards to winners. With the mayor’s approval and overwhelming city-wide support the Chicago Marathon’s founders, who weren’t quite sure if a marathon could succeed in Chicago, got the inspiration they needed to make the city’s first 26.2-mile road race a reality gaining national attention.
Michael Bilandic, Chicago’s new mayor as of 1978, and an avid runner, was invited to the event along with his wife who distribute awards to winners. With the mayor’s approval and overwhelming city-wide support the Chicago Marathon’s founders, who weren’t quite sure if a marathon could succeed in Chicago, got the inspiration they needed to make the city’s first 26.2-mile road race a reality gaining national attention.
Currently, the Chicago Marathon draws world recognition and worldwide athletic participation. In 2008 Bank of America took on the role of sponsor. According to Wikipedia the first race was held in 1905 from Evanston to Washington Park, Chicago.
a 1977 article
The route appeared to be north along Broadway Avenue and south along Lake Shore Drive
a Recap in 1979
Changes for the
next one??
Beatrice Foods Sponsorship
in the early 1980's
A New Route Planned
towards the North Shore
in 1981
The Route in 1981
Change Again
and turn south on Belmont Avenue
A New Name
in 1991
The Marathon Joins
the Pack in 2006
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon altered the world view of the marathon by aligning itself with four other races that equaled its prestige: the Boston, Flora London, BMW Berlin and ING New York marathons. This allegiance of five created the World Marathon Majors – a series of qualifying competitions that will award a total $1 million to be split equally between the top male and female marathoner each year. The groundbreaking move is the first of its kind in the sport and is paving the way toward raising awareness for its athletes and the sport overall.
New Owner in 2007
The Race Must Go On in 2007
A New Sponsor
by 2008
With Bank of America at the helm as the new title sponsor, and Nike as the new footwear and merchandise sponsor, the 2008 race attracted 45,000 participants and closed registration in less than three months. With another year of hot temperatures predicted on race day almost 33,000 runners started the race and 31,344 recorded official finish times. 2008 witnessed several new changes, including a separate start for the men’s and women’s elite field (starting five minutes before the Open field), an increase in Aid Stations from 15 to 20 and the first-ever hand cycle division as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomed the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans into the field.
by mikesrightbrain
for the watchers along our route
The Sights & Scenes
along Broadway
photo - Chicago Tribune
'A Greek god supporter'
Bank of America Marathon
has a Facebook presence
one of the main water stations is by Nettelhorst School
with testimony from the volunteers in 2015
Oh, by the way, registration begins in April
2017 photo below - Zachary Zulkowski
due to Covid 19
the northside route
zoomed below
*a route along the lakefront*
Marathon Returns
in 2021
Passing along Broadway that Day
videos & photos by Greg Baird
(video)
2022 Race Map
The Event
in 2023
Bik'in
the Drive
Bike the Drive or 'Fifth Third Bike the Drive' is a
recreational, non-competitive bicycle ride held each year in Chicago. Du Sable Lake
Shore Drive is cleared of motor vehicle traffic and opened exclusively to bicyclists
for several hours that begins at dawn. Since 2004 Bike the Drive has been held on the
Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
2018 photo - Christpher V via Yelp
"Over 16,000 riders attended the 20th Annual Fifth Third
Bike the Drive. Grab your bike and reconnect with friends and family on a
car-free Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Whether you’re new to
biking, a seasoned veteran, or biking with kids, Fifth Third Bike the Drive is
an event to remember. With sweeping views of the lake and skyline, you’ll enjoy
fresh air and the wind on your face! Ride as little or as much of the 30-mile
course as you’d like and then enjoy a post-ride festival in Grant Park. No
bike? No problem!" - their website
"Currently, the event is sponsored by Fifth Third
Bank and branded as Fifth Third Bike the Drive; it was previously sponsored by
MB Financial Bank from 2010-2018 and prior to 2010, was sponsored by Bank of
America.
Bike the Drive was launched by the
Chicagoland Bicycle Federation in
2002 to raise funds for programs to expand the Chicago area's bicycle
transportation network, promote bicycling as a mode of transportation, improve
bicycling conditions and traffic safety, and provide bicyclists with a variety
of resources and support. The route extends nearly the entire length of the
famous roadway, from 57th Street on the south side to Bryn Mawr Avenue on the north side of the city. The maximum route length is 30 miles (48 km), with riders beginning
at Grant Park, going to the south and north extremes, and then returning to the
starting point. Rest areas with refreshments and repair services are located at
the north and south ends of the route, as well as the starting point. In
addition, volunteers riding with the participants and stationed along the route
offer assistance to riders. A festival in Grant Park follows the event, and
includes music, food, cycling-related activities, and vendors and exhibitors." - Wikipedia
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