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

are all incredible athletes, and after Paula’s in 2002, I thought maybe that was it. Watching Brigid’s performances leading up to Chicago, I knew she was special. We met on the Saturday before the race to discuss what her pace would be, and when she told me she wanted to break Paula’s record and run 2:14, instantly a new energy came over me. Everyone that was there said that was too fast, but I asked the pacers if they could do that, and she was confident so we told her to go for it. She just grabbed a big sword and went to battle, and after that I knew we could have more records on this course very soon.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL DAY SPENT IN CHICAGO?

That’s a tough question. Chicago is a great walking city, a great eating city and a great sports city. The best way to discover the city is to walk around, grab some food and catch a sports game. So my ideal day would be going for a run, hanging out and having lunch, and going to a White Sox, Chicago Bulls or Chicago Bears game. But there’s so many unique neighborhoods, shopS and restaurants that I like to switch up my route whenever I can. One of the more rewarding things for me is to get out on a Sunday morning, at the time the Marathon takes place, and walk three miles of the course. I get to meet the people who live along the course, and it’s amazing the feedback you get when you tell them what you’re doing because everyone has a connection on an organic level.

WHAT DOES CHICAGO MEAN TO YOU?

We are the heart of the Midwest; we’re in the middle of the west and east coasts and we’re often thought of as the Second City or overlooked sometimes, but I think it motivates us to keep doing what we’re doing. It’s a wonderful place to live and I wouldn’t live anywhere else. The winters are tough as we know, but the people here, you can have a conversation with them they actually want to listen and talk back. Nobody’s too busy to talk to you or help you, and it’s a place where people share their thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and their love. It’s a tough place but it’s also a kind place in many ways. I’ve been to Los Angeles, Boston and New York and there’s just something about Chicago that grows on you and sticks to you.