EDITOR’S NOTE
Spring into a new season with Chicago Athlete Temperatures are rising, the sun is shining and Chicago’s streets are being filled with more athletes every day. Spring has arrived, and it is time to put all that off-season training into action! To make sure 2017 is the best season yet, we’ve filled this issue with all of the resources we know you’ll need; on page 40, learn about how seven different charities prepare for their season, and consider getting involved this year! Three local running stores weigh in on how their season begins, nearly six months in advance on page 36, and we’ve also provided a list of 100 longer-distance races in the Midwest on page 46. Meet our 2016 Athletes of the Year on page 30, too, because they’re pretty awesome. Feeling lucky this year? Then run the Shamrock Shuffle on April 2! On page 34, we’ve included a full race-preview, with all the details you’ll need to be successful on race day, including the course map. In addition to welcoming in a new season, Chicago Athlete is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and we compiled photos from the last 30 years to create a photo-collage. See what Windy City races looked like 30 years ago on page 28. Personally, I’m excited to experience an entire season with Chicago Athlete; while I got to be involved with the main chunk of summer and fall races in 2016, I was still sitting in classrooms during the spring, and missed the new-season hype. I’m getting my running shoes ready, and I’ll see you all out there. Now’s the time to get competitive, and as always Chicago Athlete is here to provide you with anything you need to have the best race season. Continue following us on our website (www.mychicagoathlete.com) and social media accounts to get fitness news, tips and more every single day.
Let’s get competitive!
Holly Petrovich
8
MARCH/APRIL 2017
MYCHICAGOATHLETE.COM