16 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON OFFICIAL PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE RACE DIRECTOR CAREY PINKOWSKI STANDS ON HIS OWN START LINE As executive race director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Carey Pinkowski advocates for both the event and its participants. After a year away from in-person racing, he looks forward to cheering participants on as they gather again in Grant Park to start their 26.2-mile journey through Chicago.
WHAT HAVE YOU MISSED THE MOST ABOUT A YEAR WITHOUT EVENTS?
I have missed the personal connection with our participants, our volunteers and everyone who has made the Bank of America Chicago Marathon the event it is today. When we paused our events last year, I realized why I enjoy doing this so much and why I’ve done it for as long as I have. The planning is challenging but solving those challenges as a team has an intrinsic payoff
and the energy you get from our participants on race day is unparalleled. I’ve started going back out to training runs, and when you meet people who are gearing up for their first marathon, they have this genuine enthusiasm that gets me excited for the event. There’s a bit of apprehension too, but it’s truly rewarding to be part of their journey.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT THE 2021 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON?
I keep calling this a transition year. We’re transitioning from not having any events to coming back, and I’m looking forward to the return of our event and the community that gathers in Chicago during marathon weekend. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon in so many
ways is a reflection of the human spirit, and I’m excited to reconnect after a year off and celebrate our participants as they express themselves in the purest form.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON MEMORY?
Actually, it’s 2019 because it was such a great day on so many levels. We had a record number of finishers, our charity program fundraised a record amount of money and then we obviously had Brigid Kosgei set the World Record; we truly hit benchmarks in all areas. I think back to how I had the opportunity to help orchestrate five world records in Chicago, but three of them came very early in my career. Khalid Khannouchi, Catherine Ndereba and Paula Radcliffe
