Run the Year: Challenge Yourself in 2017

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Fight for Air Climb
Ready for a challenge?  The American Lung Association hosts two Fight for Air Climb events that each offer a unique challenge.  On Sunday, February 12th, climb the suburbs tallest tower, Oakbrook Terrace Tower.  Participants have the option to climb the tower once, twice, three times or participate in the Power Hour and climb as many times as possible in an hour.  
 
On Sunday, March 5th, climb the largest stairclimb event in Chicago at Presidential Towers.  This four tower building gives each participant the opportunity to climb 1,2,3 or all 4 towers for a total of 2,340 steps!  For more information or to register, please visit www.FightForAirClimb.org or call (312) 781-1100.

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Chicago's Spring Half Marathon - Register Now to Save!
Celebrate the city's emergence from winter hibernation at the Chicago Spring Half Marathon & 10K. This event delivers an intimate urban setting with a gorgeous lakefront course, a gourmet hot breakfast for all participants, a Spring Market, live music and beer garden. 

Register today to secure your entry. THIS RACE WILL SELL OUT IN MARCH!

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Chicago's Hometown Race - 
Price Increase 11:59pm Today
Will you be part of Chicago's historic event in September? Spots are going fast for the 20th Anniversary Chicago Half Marathon & 5K, so secure yours today and experience the unforgettable city skyline views from this flat, fast course along traffic-free Lake Shore Drive. Register and receive fabulous perks including a huge custom finisher's medal, gender-specific tech shirt, epic post-race party, on-course entertainment and more. Register Here

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#MakeASplash at the Chicago Polar Plunge
Whether you go ankle high, knee deep or take the full plunge, your efforts help support the athletes of Special Olympics Chicago! Registration for the Chicago Polar Plunge is now open.  Reserve your spot at North Avenue Beach on Sunday, March 5, 2017.  Register at www.chicagopolarplunge.org.

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Current Issue
Jan/Feb 2017
Resolutions, Indoor Events, New Activities
 
Free Event Photos
Chicago Athlete is the first place to look for photos from all the big races in Chicagoland. Go to our  Facebook Page
for photos updated hours after races end.

Calendar of Events
Looking for upcoming endurance events in Chicago? Check out  Chicago Athlete's event calendar  for the largest event guide in the Midwest.
Run the Year: 2,017 Miles in 2017
As we begin the New Year, many experts will agree that it is a positive physical, emotional and mental health choice to take on a resolution. Not only does a resolution provide a personal motivation, but it also requires you to disengage from your comfort zone, a challenge most of us need from time to time. 

There are countless personal and fitness-related resolutions that reverberate throughout the running community, however an innovative virtual challenge run program is rapidly gaining popularity amongst runners and it is clear to see why. Run The Edge, a Colorado-based company, has developed a unique virtual program that challenges runners to log mileage equivalent to that of the current year. So, for this New Year upon us, the challenge is to run 2,017 miles in the year of 2017, breaking down to 5.5 miles each day.
 
 "We wanted to keep people moving all year, rather than making a resolution that fades away by February," said co-founder, Tim Catalano. "This program is unlike other virtual races that you complete in a day. We create big challenges and break them into bite-sized goals that everyone can attain."

Learn more about the challenge, including registration, team options, swag and prizes,  online

 
New Year, New CARA Director: Meet Kevin Jermyn
As Kevin Jermyn sits behind his desk at the Chicago Area Runners Association office in downtown Chicago, he realizes he hasn't been there too much during his first months as Executive Director.
Replacing former director Ed Zlyka at the beginning of November, Jermyn has been very busy. Between meeting new people and formulating a plan of action, he's ready for the 2017 season to begin to put his ideas into play.

In the short term, Jermyn really wants to capitalize on the already great coaching staff at CARA, to provide better training resources, support and coaching. He also wants to reach a greater audience in terms of the training opportunities.

Read more about Jermyn and his plans for CARA here

How to Set and Achieve Your 2017 Goals
Happy New Year!  With each new year comes New Year's Resolutions.  Whether you have set some resolutions or not, chances are you have some goals of your own that you would like to accomplish.  Here are some tips on how to set goals that you can achieve this new year.
  1. Set goals that motivate
  2. Set SMART goals
  3. Set it in writing
  4. Create a plan
  5. Stay committed
Chicago Athlete will be here all year long to help you reach those goals, so if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. 2017 is your year, good luck!

Boston Marathon 2017 Kick-Off Run
Running Boston 2017 or 2018? Training for a Boston BQ?
 
All runners are invited to join Coach Mark Buciak, QCC for The Road To Boston Training Program 
Kick Off Run this Saturday. This is the beginning of an 18 week program specializing in preparing for your Best Boston Marathon experience.  Coach Mark (PB: 2:30:25) has done the last 37 consecutive Boston Marathons and is a member of Boston's Quarter Century Club.

When: 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, after a welcome and coaches tips, the 30 to 75 minute run will begin at 8 a.m. 

Where: The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL - meet at the Visitor's Center Annex near the main parking lot
Cost: the run is free and regular entry fee for the Arboretum unless you are a member
RSVP: www.theroadtoboston@rcn.com
2016  Clif Bar Athlete of the Year Voting is Now Open!
It's that time of year again - vote for your favorite athlete from 2016! 

The athletes with the most votes will be crowned Chicago Athlete Magazine's Clif Bar Athlete of the Year and receive a fantastic Clif Bar prize package (as well as a spread in an upcoming issue of Chicago Athlete).

Click this link to take you to the survey. Voting will be open until  11:45 p.m. Jan. 7, 2017 and winners will be announced in the March/April issue of Chicago Athlete.

Don't remember who the athletes are? Meet them here

  
Calendar of Events from Jan. 5 to Jan. 11
Full calendar available at myracepal.com.

Jan. 7
Chicago Polar Dash - Chicago, IL

Jan. 8
Lifetime Indoor Tri - Schaumburg, IL
Lifetime Indoor Tri - Old Orchard, IL


Local Discounts, Deals and Price Increase Alerts  
Race Directors: Have a discount code or price increase for your upcoming event? We encourage you to submit them to editor@mychicagoathlete.com to provide to subscribers! 

Chicago F3 Half Marathon and 5K (Race Date: Jan. 28)
-Save $5 with code CHIATH17

-Save $5 with code CHIATH5

Cupid's Love Dash 5K (Race Date: Feb. 12)
-Price increases from $35 to $40 on Feb. 2

-Save $5 on marathon or half marathon with code CANEWSWM17

-Just $25.00 until Jan 16

Leon's Triathlon (Race Date: June 4)
-Price increases on March 20, April 30 and June 3

Utah Valley Marathon (Race Date: June 10)
-Save $10 with code chicago10 (good until May 15)

-Save $15 with code TWOHEART15 

Kona Marathon (Race Date: June 25)
-Save $10 off full and half marathon distances, or $5 off the quarter marathon and 5K with code KMEGROUP17
-Price increases Feb. 28, April 30 and June 1

-Save $10 on any distance with code CHIATHLETE17

-Just $25.00 unitil Jan 31

Hawaii Volcano Rain Forest Runs (Race Date: Aug. 19)
-Price increases on May 14 and July 31

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