Streek’s 10th marathon was the toughest

By Nick Mollet

A GUERNSEY resident found the Chicago Marathon the toughest race conditions he had ever endured. Yorkshire Guernsey customer adviser Simon Streek, 34, completed his 10th marathon but many did not even cross the start line in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators.

‘Chicago was really rough. Temperatures reached 30C and 86% humidity,’ he said.

At the start at 8am, it was a scorching 24C.

‘The organisers stopped the race after a few hours as they could not cope with the emergency cases,’ he said.

At least 49 people went by ambulance to hospital and one person died. Another 250 runners were treated on the spot for first aid.

‘There were 45,000 people who had a place but 10,000 people did not start and only 24,000 people completed,’ said Streek.

‘For our own safety they made us walk and for those who hadn’t reached halfway by a certain time, they removed them from the course.

‘I managed to finish, which was better than some.’

He completed the course in 4hr 48min., which was inconsequential considering the conditions.

‘Apparently they ran out of water and some runners were having to buy drinks or pick up cups from the ground already discarded. Even the elite runners struggled,’ said Streek.

‘The camaraderie in the Chicago Marathon saw so many runners helping each other out and if they saw anyone in trouble they went to their aid. If someone looked dehydrated, others handed them their water bottles. If someone was hobbling, they would help them to the side of the road, which was quite moving.

‘I was struggling,’ he admitted.

His next aim is London, where he hopes to gain a place through the ballot.

If successful, he will aim for around three hours.

‘Hopefully, the weather will be kind,’ he said.

His first marathon was in November 2002.

Within the last year he has also completed marathons in Phoenix, Arizona, in January and the Duluth Minnesota (the Grandmother marathon) in June.

After a year out travelling, he had six months to regain race fitness.

He is hoping to get into the London Marathon in 2008 having failed to get into the ballot this year.

His reasons for marathon running are enjoyment and competition.

In the Arizona run he set a PB of 3hr 22min.

He is striving to qualify for the Boston Marathon time (3-10) which would be his ultimate ambition.

Streek is a member of the Guernsey Athletics Club and races locally.