The Chicago Marathon: A Second Chance at 26.2 Miles

October seems far away, particularly when we're still plagued by weather forecasts calling for a “wintry mix.” We can imagine, if we try hard enough, the thin warmth of spring, but the oppressive heat of summer and the perfectly balanced days of fall aren't even on our radar yet. But that didn't stop the Chicago Marathon, slated for Oct. 7, 2012, from selling out in record time when registration opened on Feb. 1. In fact, the 45,000 participant capacity was reached in a whiplash-inducing six days. Yes, it took less than a week for all those crazy runners to decide that sweating it out for 26.2 miles on the streets of Chicago was something they just had to do.

I know at least a few runners who were on the fence about signing up. They feigned disappointment, but secretly were relieved, when the race filled up without them. However, those who want a second chance are in luck. Like many marathons, Chicago offers a charity runner program, and many charities still have slots.

What exactly is a charity entry? It gives you the chance to register for the race in exchange for raising funds for a specific organization. For the most part, there's no difference between a charity runner and someone who signed up during open registration. Charity runners receive bib numbers and start corral assignments just like everyone else. They run the same route, use the same water stops, and get the same medal at the finish. What's different is that charity runners can snag a spot even after the race is sold out. Some programs offer added benefits, like group training programs or hospitality tents at the finish line. What do the runners have to do in exchange? Bring in some donations. The minimum amount of fund-raising required by these programs varies from several hundred dollars to a few thousand.

There's certainly no shortage of worthwhile causes to support. Last year, 160 charities were represented at the Chicago Marathon. There were 10,000 runners who raised millions of dollars for causes as diverse as the American Cancer Society, PAWS Chicago, the American Red Cross, and Ronald McDonald House Charities, just to name a few.

I've only done a race as a charity runner once, for an event in London that I wasn't able to register for online. I didn't feel comfortable asking friends and family for money, so I just covered the minimum fund-raising amount myself. However, I can appreciate the desire to run a race as a fundraiser. The last time I ran the Chicago Marathon, I asked friends to support Back on My Feet, but I did it just because I thought it was a good cause, not as a way to get a race number. I'd already registered on my own.

I have to admit that I have mixed emotions about charity running programs. On one hand, there's no question that putting all that sweat and effort towards helping out a non-profit organization is a good thing to do, especially since the economic downturn is taking its toll on charitable giving.

However, there are some organizations out there who have turned charity running into a cottage industry. There are now programs offering entries to marathons and half-marathons in Hawaii and Alaska, bike rides in California, or fund-raising hikes in the Grand Canyon. Participants don't just get registration for the event, their hotel and travel expenses are covered, too. Obviously, the minimum fund-raising amount is higher for these endeavors. While they sound fun and I'm sure the causes are very worthy, I've always declined doing them because it feels like I'd be asking my friends to foot the bill for my vacation. Are these interesting and innovative ways to get people to raise funds? Sure, but it seems like more and more money goes to covering expenses and less goes to the organization.

Having said that, if you live locally and don't need a charity program to provide you with hotel or other costly amenities, then doing the Chicago Marathon as a fundraiser is a great way to support a worthy cause and challenge yourself at the same time. The Chicago Marathon runs like a well-oiled machine, and the support from Chicagoans lining the route, several deep in some places, is inspiring. If it seems like something you want to do, surf on over to the Chicago Marathon website and click on “Charity and Community.” But don't wait too long. Some organizations have already filled up all their slots. And once the last charity spots are gone, that's it. You don't get a second chance twice.