The 2024 Chicago Marathon made history when Ruth Chepngetich shattered the women’s world record when she finished in 2:09:56.
But each of the nearly 50,000 runners who started the race also sought their own personal bests, including our members on the Pho3nix Club Tour to the Chicago Marathon.
Tim E is chasing Six Stars glory and completed Berlin and London with the Pho3nix Club last year. While his focus this year has been ultramarathons and trail races, he wanted to tick Chicago off his list.
He said, “‘Just Enjoy’ was the motto… but when you’re standing there and see every single runner, the adrenaline kicks in… Always a great atmosphere at such a marathon!”
He continued his report, saying, “Short and succinct: 32 kilometres feeling good and then boom – the infamous wall came. It was clear that she was coming, but the question was when. It was awesome anyway. You should really prepare for a marathon. Thank you Pho3nix Club for this experience.”
Yulya B kicked off her Six Stars campaign in Chicago with Pho3nix Club. An avid endurance athlete and Ironman World Championship Kona finisher, she found the Chicago Marathon atmosphere absolutely electrifying. “This is the best event I have ever been to,” she said.
“I was just consumed by this adrenaline feeling and I gave in to it immediately and would do it again. If you remember what it feels like to fall in love, if the most important person is touching you giving you goosebumps, If you have ever smiled at yourself like, ‘I’m so good’. If you know what fear and passion are... So that was a collective feeling. I wasn't even breathing, the courage carried me…
“People's support was present throughout the 42km, but honestly it's even interesting how that is possible… During this day, I said ‘I love this life’ a record number of times.”
Pho3nix Club is your ticket to exclusive and bucket-list endurance experiences. Funds raised with each tour entry, membership, and purchase go towards the sport nonprofit Pho3nix Foundation, whose global programs offer a complete pathway for athletes - from participation events for those as young as five, to sponsorship and assistance for athletes on the cusp of Olympic selection.
