Our SC Marathoners for Malawi Team took part in the Chicago Marathon today in temperatures in the 90s that were over 22 degrees above normal and with 86 percent humidity. The unusually hot temperatures led to the death of a Michigan man. ( My heart goes out to his family.) As well as an most unexpected conclusion: The Race Organizers canceled the race because their were so many people going down with heat exhaustion and the City of Chicago had no more ambulances left (300 people were hospitalized.)
Most of our runners were not able to complete the marathon and even those of us who did, did so, "unofficially." (I finished but only after being ordered to walk the last two miles.) To make matters worse, the organizers did such a poor job with stocking the Aid Stations, many runners had to go with no Gatorade or water for up to seven miles in the scorching heat. While there were many very disappointed runners, most of our Team World Vision Crew had a different perspective. We ran for people who live in a very hot place and often don't have water.
So, while the race itself was disappointing, our goals were fulfilled and we had a most memorable experience and will have many stories to tell...and maybe made a bit of difference in this world.
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