More than 5,000 runners from across the country and around the world took part in the Christie Clinic Race Weekend. The weekend was filled with races ranging from 5K to the full marathon.
The 17th annual Christie Clinic had its slogan “Leave Your Legacy” all weekend long. The event organizers stressed the importance of inclusivity and welcoming everyone to be a part of the community.
Illinois graduate student Benjamin Rosa was the first to cross the finish line in the marathon with a 2:18:25.
Eric Westog later crossed the finish line to claim second, and last year’s winner, Jaime Marcos, rounded out the podium with third place.
This was Rosa’s second-ever marathon, but the first one on Illinois soil. He said that he was even able to run past his apartment, where he routinely goes on runs to prepare for the marathon.
“That was a pretty awesome debut,” said Rosa. “It is super cool to win, I enjoy racing, and it is great to win. It is especially fun to do that in front of a home crowd. It was a great event.”
For the females, Mackenzie Barnett traveled from Tennessee to compete in her first-ever marathon. Little did she know that after driving almost seven hours, she would end up clinching the top spot in the female marathon race.
“I was not expecting that at all. I honestly didn’t know what to expect,” said Barnett. “I was just hoping to run under three hours. I am just so grateful for how today went.”
Barnett accomplished what she set out to do, putting a time of 2:51:48 in her first official marathon. The female champion is a former collegiate cross-country and track athlete at Lipscomb University and a second-grade teacher.
Barnett says that this won’t be her last race and will look to compete in another marathon soon.
As the fans began to fill up Gies Memorial Stadium, event announcer Michelle Ryan shared her experience from the other side of the race barrier as an event staff member.
“It is just fantastic to see the representation, especially from around the world,” said Ryan. “Every year it is incredibly diverse, and that is one of Jan Seeley’s points in this race to be inclusive. We welcome everybody.”
Seeley is the director of Christie Clinic Race Weekend, and she emphasized making sure that this event brings in the community but also gives competitors the opportunity to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Public Relations Director Meg Treat explains that it is inspiring to know the personal stories that get the runners to the starting line.
“Whether they are conquering a medical journey or whether they are achieving something that they didn’t know was possible for them, there are so many reasons people run,” said Treat. “It is really meaningful to me to get to celebrate and see other people go on this marathon journey. We are so privileged to have so many people share their stories with us.”
The races started near State Farm Center, and runners traveled through Champaign, Savoy, and Urbana before entering Gies Memorial Stadium, where they were applauded by the crowd for crossing the finish line.
As the final racers crossed the finish line, the event not only brought competition but also a large group of people from all backgrounds together in support of each other. The race weekend started on Friday with the 5K and concluded on Saturday with an after-party program on Kirby Ave. to celebrate another successful weekend.
