The 2024 Chicago Marathon brought over 50,000 participants to Chicago’s streets on Oct. 14. As the race wound through 29 neighborhoods, the Northalsted experience was bolstered by LGBTQ+ organizations who turned out to cheer the athletes.
On the corner of Melrose and Broadway, Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago—the city’s LGBTQ+ running and walking group—transformed their aid station into a party. Volunteers danced to the blaring music while passing out water to runners. Performers on two stages dressed as characters from The Rocky Horror Picture Show and did the Time Warp. Racers stopped for selfies.
“We’ve won “Best Water Station” for probably the last 30 years,” said Frontrunners member James Wiltshire, Jr. “They stopped giving out the award, probably because we’ve won it so much,” he joked.
This was Oliver Grenke’s first time volunteering with Frontrunners at the Chicago Marathon. “It’s so cool to get so close to the race like this,” Oliver said. “It’s inspiring me to race next year.”
Behind the rainbow-decorated barriers, Northalsted residents and LGBTQ+ allies Paige Edwards and Abby Chafe cheered on the racers. “We watch the marathon every year, from the very first racers to the last ones,” Edwards said. “We absolutely love the energy here.”
A bit further north, outside of Charlie’s Chicago, members of The Imperial Windy City Court of the Prairie State Empire, Inc. NFP gathered on a small stage to enjoy the race. “We’re here every year—this is our thing,” said reigning Empress Indy Wulfe. “Usually, we’re in full drag, but this year we didn’t have time.” Fueled by cupcakes, Wulfe and fellow Court members encouraged the runners as they passed by.
The Imperial Windy City Court of the Prairie State Empire is a part of the International Imperial Court System (IICS), which bills itself as one of the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ organizations in the world. Over 70 chapters in the US, Canada, and Mexico raise money for charitable causes within the community through events and outreach.
Overall, the Northalsted section of the race was high energy, adorned with rainbow banners, and unapologetically queer.
A huge congratulations to all the Marathon participants, especially the course champions:
- John Korir of Kenya, who claimed victory in the men’s race with a time of 02:02:44.
- Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya, who set a world record in the women’s race at 02:09:56, after placing second last year.
- Marcel Hug from Switzerland, who earned his third consecutive win in the men’s wheelchair race, finishing at 01:25:54.
- Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland, who broke the women’s wheelchair course record with a time of 01:36:12.
- David Eik of the U.S., who finished the non-binary race in 02:34:01.
