Two Suckers Are Doing the Chicago Marathon

Well, I'm sure you've heard about the Chicago Marathon debacle by now....and if you recall I wrote a not so pleasant post about it.  I have complained about not getting in (the traditional way) but realize I have never said that in fact Jim and I will be running the marathon - or at least we think we are.

So yes, like many others, I toiled over my computer for hours and hours the day registration opened only to be shut out.  I like many others, put my name in the lottery and was not chosen.  But, I like not so many others also reserved my hotel room through Marathon Tours & Travel. 

When we decided we were going to do the Chicago Marathon I wanted to reserve a room early.  I started doing online searches on Expedia, etc and the rooms were crazy expensive as in $500 a night!  So I turned to Marathon Tours & Travel - they were the company we used when we went to Boston.  They have group rates with the hotels so you can get rooms for about half the cost.  The only downside, is unlike traditional hotels were you can cancel up to 24 hours or so in advance with no penalty, you do have to pay a small fee - which grows every month as the race gets closer if you cancel.  I reserved our room back in January and had we not been able to do the Chicago Marathon we would have been out about $40.

The one thing Marathon Tours & Travel offered was up to 2 entries (per room) into the Chicago Marathon - for an additional fee - if you were unable to register.  Honestly, I didn't think we would need this fail safe.  I knew registration would sell out that first day, but I thought we would get in, because I would be online the moment registration opened.  Well, I was obviously totally wrong about that.

Marathon Tours had 250 entries and they would be given out on a first come/first serve basis.  So, as soon as we learned we couldn't get in the traditional way I contacted them.  For an extra $100 per entry we could race.  Yikes! As if this race wasn't expensive enough.

Jim and I really thought about it and decided it might be our last opportunity to do the race together.  I'm sure next year it will be a 100% lottery and if it is, I doubt Marathon Tours will be given any entries.  Plus, my friend Coy who I had begged to run it with me got in.  I would be leaving her to run the race by herself when she had never intended to run it in the first place.

So we forked out the extra money and we are headed to Chicago!  Or at least we think we are.  We have paid for the race entry fee and the "late charge", but we haven't actually registered yet.  They told us we won't get registration details until June.  So, while I know I should be in....I won't feel totally comfortable until I am actually registered.

So yes, after much complaining I still gave them my money.  We are two big SUCKERS!!

Michael & Jim - Two Big Suckers!