Inline skating marathon thrills spectators, racers in Hoffman Estates
Fans at Saturday's Chicagoland Inline Marathon in Hoffman Estates saw a big finish, as nearly 30 speed skaters rounded the last turn and sprinted toward the finish line.
After fiercely jockeying for position, 25-year old Adam Miller from Independence, Ohio, came across first, with a time of 1:14.19. Debbie Rice, 40, of Baton Rouge, La., was the fastest woman, coming in just six seconds later.
"Normally, the pack isn't that big, so it made for an exciting finish for all the spectators," said Peter Starykowicz, race director.
The dramatic finish featured 21 skaters who finished within six seconds of each other, and all after completing the 26.2-mile marathon on a course woven throughout the scenic AT&T compound in Hoffman Estates.
Beyond the marathon for elite professionals, the morning event also featured a half marathon race for recreational racers, as well as a 2-mile race for children, and several sprints. Some 350 competitors of all ages from 25 states participated. At stake was a total of $4,500 in prize money.
The Chicago-based Team Rainbo had more than 70 racers compete, including Cutch Cosejo of Rolling Meadows. "It's one of the smoothest routes on the circuit with good traffic and safe turns," Cosejo said.
Organizers said they knew of five skaters who fell on the first turn out of the start, and of one 12-year old girl who was taken to the emergency room for an arm injury.
Cale Corvell, Team Rainbo president, said the enclosed corporate campus offered a unique setting for the event, and one that the competitors seemed to like. "It's a lot more technical," Corvell said. "It really calls for good skating skills, with all the turns, and knowing when to make a move. It's much more challenging for the skaters."
Tyler Kroll, 12, of Winnetka, placed in the top 10 in the 18 and under division. He was one of many of the speed skaters on hand who uses inline skating as his summer training.
"I like having to push myself," Kroll said. "I don't know, I just have this need for speed, I guess."