Loyola Students Stride into Finishing the Lifetime Chicago Half-Marathon

Since 1997, the Lifetime Chicago Half Marathon and 5K has brought around 10,000 runners together at 7 a.m. in Jackson Park to complete the 13.1 miles up Lake Shore Drive and back.  

Many Loyola students were among the runners to complete the race this year, sparking emotion in some.

“I feel very proud of myself,” said third-year Spanish major Ezekiel Callahan. “I never thought this would be something I thought I would be doing. It was such an emotional experience. Towards the end, I was tearing up, being like, ‘Oh my god, I did it.’” 

Students had varying reasons for wanting to run in the race. Family was a deciding factor for third-year political science and criminal justice major Lauren Mullan. 

“I felt like I needed a hobby while I was abroad in London, so I just decided to do it,” Mullan said. “I also wanted to run it with my dad, and I felt like it would be a good goal to have.” 

Third-year environmental policy major Aiden Geraty said a big reason he wanted to run was for the betterment of his physical and mental health. Callahan said it’s meditative and a good time to think about what’s going on in life.

Support from friends and those on the sidelines of the race was a big motivation for the runners to finish strong.

“I will say, at like, mile 12, I was really starting to hit the wall, and then out of nowhere, some friends popped up and started yelling my name,” Geraty said. “And in full honesty, that was very helpful.” 

Participants trained in different ways and started at different times to prepare for the race. Mullan said she tried to run around twenty miles a week, and Callahan said he incorporated swimming to help his whole body and take the pressure off his joints.

“I kept thinking about the sheer amount of people that were doing what I was doing,” Geraty said.  “It was mind-blowing but also very cool because I felt like me and all these other strangers had the same shared experience, not only on race day, but the months leading up to it.” 

While running in the race, Mullan said she was encouraging herself by thinking as positively as possible, although other thoughts crept in too.

“‘It’s so hot. Oh, my God, those signs are funny. I’m gonna throw up,’” Mullan said. “But mostly it was, ‘I’m almost there. Look at all the people. I’m so excited. My friends came to see me. I’m grateful that I’m doing this. It hurts, and I want it to be over. Just keep running.’” 

While the marathon wasn’t easy, the feeling of accomplishment after the mental and physical challenge was very rewarding, according to Callahan and Geraty, as neither of them have always enjoyed running or been runners.

Callahan said he hated running growing up but grew into it his first year of college. Geraty said his main motivation was to show himself he could get into running.

Geraty said he advises others considering running a half marathon to start small with a mile and work their way up. It takes some time.  

Mullan said she thinks it’s also important to do something for yourself. 

“It’s not about how fast you go, or if you walk or take breaks,” Mullan said. “It’s about setting a goal for yourself and doing it. I think it’s important to run because you want to do it and are excited about it, not because you have to.”