DePaul University Athletics
58,000...48,250...37,400
10/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | D CLUB
Oct. 17, 2011
These numbers represent the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon which was run on October 10. More than 58,000 gallons of water, 48,250 gallons of Gatorade Endurance Formula were provided for the estimated 37,400 participants in the marathon.
DePaul Athletics was well-represented at the 34th annual running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9. At least 18 DePaul Athletic alumni or athletic staff braved the heat and completed the marathon.
The best finish of the DePaul's D-Club members was Stephanie Hughes, a DePaul distance running alumni, who finished in a sterling 3:18:50. She finished in the top 30 in her age group, despite battling the heat.
"All things considered, I had a great time out there - the crowds and excitement were very energizing." Hughes said. "I am very thankful to all of the volunteers, entertainment, and support staff that helped make the event an enjoyable one. I am especially thankful for the encouragement from my friends and family who carried me through every stride!"
Each runner has their own story and their own motivation.
Track alum Jim Dzwierzynski hoped to return to his form in this year's Marathon after years away. His ultimate goal is to get ready for next year, his milestone.
"I ran the marathon this year after a six-year hiatus. Next year is my biggie when I turn the big 5-0 and hope to break three hours again. This year was my get back in shape tune-up and was pretty darn awful. I started to do P90X with my son and as an out of shape old man faced injury after injury (from ripped calf muscle to several adductor strains...the last one two days before the marathon from kicking soccer balls).
After two days of continual icing and massive amounts of taping, I decided to give it a shot and run with my older brother who was competing in his second marathon and trying to break 3:45. All went well and my bro and I crossed the finish line in a respectable 3:44.
Thanks to all my time sitting in the DePaul athletic trainer's room, I remembered the worldly advice from Mike McCormick... "just ice it and tape it."
Cicero Chimbanda was motivated by another factor, impacting the world. The soccer alum and his wife joined more than 10,000 charity runners pushing themselves through the 26.2 miles in support of the charity of their choice.
"The day was a little hot, but the support from family and friends were much needed & appreciated. This year was a special one as my wife and I used this Marathon as a fundraiser to an important cause for African Mission."
Still other runners are motivated intrinsically. DePaul Soccer Alumni and All-America Julianne Sitch wanted to push herself to a new level of performance with the help of some personal motivation from some of her heroes.
"I wanted to run the marathon 10.10.10 but unfortunately had ACL surgery and wasn't able to. This year, I felt so blessed to be able to run again that I wanted to run the marathon and run in honor of my mom and Noreen Karadsheh. two amazing woman who fought and are currently fighting cancer.
They are an inspiration to me and their positive attitudes keep me going and kept me going through the race. I was so fortunate to see Noreen on the course and there she was with a huge smile on her face cheering all the runners on despite what she is battling. That to me is a true champion!!!
Today, I accomplished another one of my goals with the inspiration of a few close family, friends and the amazing, energetic crowd that came out to support the Chicago Marathon. They were truly supportive for 26.2 miles!! Thank you to everyone who supported the Chicago Marathon 2011."
In addition to all the runners, more than 12,000 volunteers performed functions that gave the runners a chance to meet their goals. Numerous DePaul athletic alumni joined the effort to put on the marathon:
Former head coach and DePaul Hall of Famer Pat Savage served as head men's and women's referee and chairperson of the Jury of Appeals. Track alumni Jesse De La Fuente and Mark Buciak served as a race coordinator in Grant Park and a race announcer near St. Pat's Church, respectively.
DePaul Athletics staff members Kate O'Brien and Marty Murphy both served as volunteers as part of the aid station located near DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus. O'Brien and Murphy were joined by a large number of DePaul's student-athletes who served water and Gatoraid to runners.
The marathon can be defined by so many numbers, but the constant in all the motivations was a single number…26.2.
2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Results
- Our apologies if you were left of the list, please send addition runners to tdohrn@depaul.edu
| Stephanie Hughes | 3:18:50 | Track & Field / Cross Country |
| Margo Sackmaster | 3:39:55 | Women's Soccer |
| Jim Dzwierzynski | 3:44:05 | Track & Field / Cross Country |
| Cicero Chimbanda | 3:44:58 | Men's Soccer |
| Kate Bogdonas Cavanaugh | 3:45:31 | Women's Soccer |
| Christine Mazik | 3:50:46 | Women's Basketball Manager |
| Ryan Moore | 3:52:00 | Track & Field |
| Dustin Szcepaniak | 3:52:53 | Facility Operations |
| Jim Mazik | 3:54:02 | Men's Basketball Manager |
| Salvador Andrade | 3:57:15 | Track & Field / Cross Country |
| Julianne Sitch | 4:04:00 | Women's Soccer |
| Tom Kacprzynski | 4:13:18 | Track & Field / Cross Country |
| Amy Witt | 4:17:48 | Women's Soccer |
| Kirstyn McGuinness | 4:35:16 | Track & Field Manager |
| Erin Carney | 4:37:38 | Women's Basketball |
| Karen Falduto Kopf | 4:43:39 | Women's Tennis |
| Krysten Gibson | 5:21:20 | Women's Soccer |
| Katie Walsh | 5:35:38 | Athletic Academic Advising |