The 40 degree weather didn’t stop locals and non-locals, all of us indigenous to this planet, from running, or cheering on the runners, in the Chicago Marathon.
Admittedly there is something odd about 45 thousand members of an indigenous species voluntarily running 26.2 miles and even keeping track – to the second – of records such as the 2:14.04 top time set by Kenyan’s Brigid Kosgei for women runners. I can imagine aliens from another planet, ready to invade, having second thoughts because of that, but if these marathons help keep out those non-indigenous species I’m all in favor of them.
The photo I took was from the very last mile at the very end of the race going up Michigan Avenue. The top winners had finished hours ago. If I were a runner and I got that far, which is questionable, that’s where I’d be. About midway under the Chinatown arch what made me smile was a sign that read, “Hurry up and finish, your mom’s freezing out here”.
Run past Chinatown
in windy Chicago weather
back home to Grant Park
Linked to Trent P. McDonald’s The Weekly Smile. Also linked to dVerse Haibun Monday where Frank J. Tassone hosts with the theme to “celebrate all things indigenous”.

I think I would prefer to watch than run this, Frank. That is a lot of contestants.
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It was very crowded. Thank you, Robbie!
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Perhaps the aliens would be a peaceful cooperative species. (K)
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Hopefully so. They may even like running marathons. Thank you, Kerfe!
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I like that image.
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Wow! Most impressive, Frank! I’m lucky if I can sprint to catch a bus, let alone run a marathon! Love this evocative write!
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To catch a bus is as far as I’d run as well. Thank you, Frank!
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I have run half a marathon many years ago… now I limit myself to 10K every now and then… still it would be fun to run that far. I know for a fact that it would take more than twice that time.
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I understand once you get started, you might be able to just keep going, but I have never tried. Thank you, Bjorn!
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Great take on the prompt. some of those signs are great, aren’t they?
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Some of those signs were very creative. If we go next year, I plan to make a few of my own. Thank you, Sarah!
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I never thought what that would look like to an alien.
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It even looks strange to me. Thank you, Dan!
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I often thought that I would introduce myself, and our species as “Earthites”, indigenous to this planet. Nice creative take on the prompt.
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Thank you, Glenn!
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I get kind of puzzled though – we are all indigenous somewhere…
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We are. Even if it is to the universe. Thank you, Maureen!
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There’s more than a few things that would give non-indigenous species pause. But definitely marathons!
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I can see how they might not want to run in them. Thank you!
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With my running days behind me, I’d be one of those indigenous observers.
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I’ve always been in the observer class. Thank you, Ken!
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Uplifting, honouring. Liked it.
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Thank you, Petru!
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Some day I might try to push myself to do one, but these days I rarely go over 6 miles/10 K. But if I could keep the same pace I do when i run a 10 K, I’d only be a about an hour behind the winners 😉 I’m sure that despite the cold it was fun being there. I know being in Boston during the marathon is always a good time.
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We enjoyed it, but it was cold. Thank you, Trent!
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A marathon is really an oddity! Love your not that we are… all of us indigenous to this planet.
Perhaps the opposite is true. maybe none of us are really indigenous!
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It could be both. Thank you, Dwight!
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There’s a lot worse things those tens of thousands could be doing. I also like the image of friendly extraterrestials doing marathons. Hoping their legs are short 😉
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Thank you, Jade!
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I am very impressed!
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Thank you!
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Move Connect Co-Create
Human So Much Happier
When They Marathon Life That Way..:)
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I like the thought of marathoning life. Thank you, Fred!
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With Dance!..:)
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hah. My company works the half marathon and triathlon in Chicago – what a great town ~
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That was the first race we attended. Next year we’ll bring signs. Chicago is a nice town for races – very flat and hopefully not too windy,
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