The Chicago Marathon is a 26.2 mile race run by over thousands of people each fall. Runners must be at least sixteen years old and a lot of training is involved. Clarion interviewed 3 teachers about this their determination to run the race: Steve Yurek, Kathleen Harsy, and John Fields.
Runners from this school also include Daniel Delzotti, a teacher, and Natalee Garza, a senior.
Steve Yurek
Steve Yurek is a math teacher at Riverside Brookfield High School and has run in not just one Chicago Marathon, but six.
Q. Is this your first year running in the marathon?
A. No, I’ve run six Chicago Marathons and two races in other cities.
Q. Have you run in any other marathons that made you want to run in this one?
A. I started off running the marathon in 2006, but ran one in Quebec and Dearborne, Michigan to get a different flavor.
Q. What was your goal in running the marathon?
A. The goal was to run a fast first half, and do whatever the second half to survive.
Q. Were there any injuries that prevented you from running at first?
A. I had broken my arm over the summer, but that gave me fresh legs, so it helped out.
Q. Are you going to run next year’s marathon?
A. I hope to. I enjoy it because it is exciting. Also, my son will eventually run on his own.
Q. Are there any particular memorable moments from this year’s training or the race.
A. Seeing the RB kids at mile eleven or twelve was excellent. It is always nice to see people you know. I meet up with an RB graduate at mile twenty, and she runs with me at the hardest, hottest part of the race. It is good to have company at the hardest part of the day.
Kathleen Harsy
Kathleen Harsy is an English and AP Literature teacher for all grades. She ran the marathon for the very first time.
Q. Is this your first year running the marathon?
A. Yes.
Q. Have you run in any other marathons that made you want to run in this one?
A. I have run a half marathon before, but this is my first full marathon.
Q. What was your goal in running the marathon?
A. I was inspired by all the teachers here and family members who have run marathons. I also ran for my grandma.
Q. Were there any injuries that prevented you from running at first?
A. No.
Q. Are you going to run in next year’s marathon?
A. We’ll see. One race at a time.
Q. Are there any particular memorable moments from this year’s training or race?
A. All the encouragement from all the teachers and everyone cheering us on. On the day of the race, a lot of teachers, students and family showed up. Some of my students made a poster and held it up at mile thirteen. Pilsen neighborhood was at mile twenty, and it was awesome. There were huge puppets, families, restaurants, you could feel the energy. Mr. Izaguirre ran miles 16 and 17 with me.
John Fields
John Fields a history teacher ran the marathon for the first time this year also.
Q. Is this your first year running in the marathon?
A. First marathon, yes.
Q. Have you run in any other marathons that made you want to run in this one?
A. No, this was my first marathon.
Q. What was your goal in running the marathon?
A. My goal was to finish.
Q. Were there any injuries that prevented you from running at first?
A. No, but during the race I was injured. I hurt my knee. It forced me to walk the last couple miles, but I finished.
Q. Are you going to run next year’s marathon?
A. I haven’t decided yet, but possibly.
Q. Are there any particular memorable moments from this year’s training or race?
A.I enjoyed training with my wife, who also ran the marathon. From the race, I enjoyed the crowds and neighborhoods. Everyone was really supportive.
