Runners back on course with in-person races

Chicago runners are eager to toe the starting line and douse the competition after a year of solo running and virtual racing.

Heather Wittels ran one of the city’s first post-pandemic, in-person races at Chicago Area Runners Association’s (CARA’s) Wintrust 10 miler on April 17.

“It was thrilling to feel the energy of all the runners,” Wittels said.

Many are hopeful the Chicago Marathon will return to the streets in October. Melanie Pozdol is registered and has her fingers crossed.

“One of the best things about racing Chicago is the amazing crowds, so I’ll be curious how the city will handle that,” she said.

CARA member Darren DeMatoff is also feeling confident about the Chicago Marathon.

“CARA has done an incredible job creating safety protocols and operational procedures throughout the pandemic, and now the park district is using our race model for other groups requesting permits,” DeMatoff said.

In-person road races aren’t the only thing making a comeback this season. Competitive Chicago runner Emily Rybak, who represents the Fleet Feet x New Balance Racing Team, has big goals after undergoing hip surgery last summer.

“I’d love to qualify for the Olympic Trials,” Rybak said. “I’m running Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn. in June, but I hope to run 2:45 by the Chicago Marathon in October.”

Rybak’s marathon personal best (PB) is 2:49.12, several minutes more than the current women’s Olympic qualifying time of 2:45. But she faced a challenging hurdle when her left hip flared up in April 2020, and doctors diagnosed her with a labral tear.

“Sometimes people can have success with rehab and skip the operation, but I knew that in order to run 60 mile weeks and compete for another PB, I’d have to have surgery,” Rybak said.

Recovery has been long and arduous, but six months post-op, Rybak raced the Virtual Shamrock Shuffle 8K in March, surprising herself with a scorching time of 30:33 (6:07 pace) and scoring another PB in the distance.

Rybak is now 10 months post surgery, and her training for Grandma’s Marathon is nearly complete. She’s optimistic that all races and events will be back in full swing just in time for the racing season.

“I’m really excited to share the experiences with my friends and teammates again,” she said.