Young Men Participate in Chicago Park District Race, undatedSource: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 114_004_023
Run for the Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, 1987 May 31Source: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 056_035_002
Chicago Park District Senior Games, circa 2000Source: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 144_005_005
Wheel Chair Racers in the 1986 Chicago Marathon1986 October 26. Photographer: Peter J. Schulz. Source: Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Press Office Photographs, Box 47, Folder 5
Foot Race, Eckhart Park, 1921Source: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 019_007_002
Special Olympics Athletes Start a Race, undatedSource: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 125_012_026
Female Winner of 1985 Chicago MarathonMayor Washington holds the finish line for the female winner, Joan Benoit, during the 1985 Chicago Marathon, 1985 October 20. Photographer: Antonio Dickey. Source: Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Press Office Photographs, Box 18, Folder 26
Male Winner of 1985 Chicago MarathonMayor Washington holds the finish line for the male winner, Steve Jones, during the 1985 Chicago Marathon, 1985 October 20. Photographer: Antonio Dickey. Source: Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Press Office Photographs, Box 18, Folder 26
Winner of Marathon Poster Contest, 1986Amy Chan, winner of America’s Marathon’s Community Poster contest, 1986 October 7. Photographer: Antonio Dickey. Source: Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Press Office Photographs, Box 45, Folder 7
Male Winner of 1986 Chicago MarathonMayor Washington holds finish for the 1986 Marathon’s male winner, Toshiko Seko. Photographer: Peter J. Schulz. Source: Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Press Office Photographs, Box 47, Folder 5
Track Meet, Abbott Park, 1969Source: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 001_001_006
Turkey Run, Lake Shore Park, undatedSource: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 114_004_010
Special Olympics Athletes Start a Race, undatedSource: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 125_012_007
Douglas Park Track Meet, 1904Source: North Lawndale Community Collection, Photo 1.11
Mayor Sawyer Opens the 1988 Marathon1988 October 30. Photographer: Antonio Dickey. Source: Special Collections, Eugene Sawyer Mayoral Records, Box 118, Folder 7
Male Winner of 1988 Chicago MarathonMayor Sawyer welcomes male winner of 1988 Chicago Marathon. From left: Lee Flaherty, Flair Communications; Mayor Eugene Sawyer; Alejandro Cruz (Mexico), Men’s Winner; Rich Castro, Coach; Sam Frank, G. Heileman Brewing Co. Photographer: Antonio Dickey. Source: Special Collections, Eugene Sawyer Mayoral Records, Box 118, Folder 8
Cross Country Race, Riis Park, 1970Source: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 114_004_011
Young Women Participate in Chicago Park District Race, undatedSource: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 114_004_017
Children’s Race, circa 2000Children participate in a Chicago Park District race, circa 2000. Source: Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, 144_004_018
2019's Chicago Marathon happens October 13. We've blogged about the history of the Chicago Marathon with posts on Chicago's first marathon in 1905 and Chicago's first modern marathon in 1977. This year we celebrate the sport of running with an image gallery of Chicagoans of all ages and abilities lacing up their running shoes.
Whether you're thinking about signing up for one of those couch to 5K programs, are busily training for this year's 26.2 or are somewhere in between, these photos from Chicago's past will inspire you to keep on running. (And so will the recommendations in our Get Ready for the (Chicago) Marathon booklist.)
Want to see more? Check out running photos in our Chicago Park District Photograph Digital Collection or come into Special Collections in person.
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