First World Major, International Full Marathon – Chicago 2025
Date: 12 OCT 2025
Start time: 8:30 AM, CET
Distance: Marathon : 42.2 km
Start point: GRANT PARK, CHICAGO
Net Elevation: 100+m ascent
Goals:
Goal: 4:55 hrs to 5 hrs
Achieved : 5h : 39m : 58s
Key Stats
Rank: 47491
Average Pace: 7:56 mins/km
Gender Rank: 26994 of 29486
Age Category Rank (M50): 2578 of 2875
INTRODUCTION
The year 2025 has been quite a journey. Started with TMM in Jan 2025, which was my first full marathon. When I look back at it after finishing my first international full marathon (at CHICAGO), seems to be so long ago, but in reality was just 9 months back. Sincerely thank my wife, Priya , son Abhinav and daughter Jyotsna who all were pillars of support for me. Not to forget my mother, my in laws and my brother in law and his family who were all by my side at various times during the entire journey from start to finish, through thick and thin.
Preparing for a FM (Full Marathon), 42.2 km, is always important. A 12-14 week window is a must. I had already registered for CHICAGO WORLD MAJOR back in Dec 2024 and was set to take part in this on 12th Oct 2025. Training did begin in July 2025, but there were hurdles, major one being a sciatic nerve impingement around end May 2025. This kind of set me back on regular running and training. In hindsight, it was something which did impact my performance.
But I was quite determined that the task on hand need to be completed. The only way to do this was by sincerely following the training schedule that our running group, HIT FIT Tribe (Hitendra Choudhary) gave. I definitely vouch on one thing, which is to follow a process to get to any goal. Short term or long term, one must be very aware and disciplined. Of course would not have been possible without my wife and children constant support, they have been the pillars of my achievement and have supported me
Am so thankful now to our coach, Hitendra Choudhary and the entire HIT FIT Tribe, with whose support have been able to complete my first full marathon at TMM in Jan 2025 and also the CHICAGO WORLD Major in Oct 2025.
The only miss would be the PROCAM SLAM (4 races in a calander year which are TMM 42k, TCS World 10k, Vedanta Delhi HALF 21k, TATA STEEL KOLKATA 25k). I had planned to complete this, finished with 3 legs (Tata Steel Kolkata 25 k, TMM 42k, TCS World 10k). But the Delhi Half marathon was on same day as CHICAGO and hence had to miss out on Delhi.
Training for 14 weeks
I started training for Chicago in July 2025. There was a clear plan given by our coach, Hitendra Choudhary, and it was centered around endurance and strength building. Endurace by way of doing regular long runs which is the key in preparation for full marathon. Strength is an integral part in running and the training had 2 days of focused exercises and routines which were essential component to build the right muscles so as to support the long distances. Weekly chart would be 1 day of intervals (different variations in this), another day a TEMPO run, 3rd day an easy run and Sundays would be long runs which will range from 18 k to 35 k. Considering 14 weeks, there will be four cycles of long runs, for ex. 18k, 22k, 24k, 28k, then 18k, 30k, 32k, another 18k, 30k, 25k and finally 18k, 35k, 22k and 18k (last taper before final race day)
Training for Chicago was bit tedious, from the planning point of view. I had already planned to be in USA for 6 weeks, which was from end Aug to mid Oct. Hence the training plan had to be made in a way that part of it was in India and later part in USA. It was definitely an advantage to train in USA, as I was there more like a vacation trip. It gave me larger window in the morning hours to train. Also the weather there is quite conducive to training bit later in the day too. Besides was traveling to different cities so had the flexibility to manage as per travel schedule. From 31st Aug to 5th Oct (last Sunday before RACE DAY) – all these SUNDAYS managed the long runs which eventually are very crucial in build up to race day of 42 km.
In fact before the RACE DAY of CHICAGO), 12th Oct 2025 also got the opportunity to participate in YONKERS HALF MARATHON, on 14th Sept 2025, this is the 2nd oldest marathon in USA after BOSTON. Given below the weekly long run plan and execution specific to my training for CHICAGO WORLD MAJOR….
Week Date Target Actual Remarks
1 6/7/25 16 km 16 km start of the training calander
2 13/7/25 21 km 21 km getting into the groove!
3 20/7/25 24 km 23 km again better that last wk, steady!
4 27/7/25 28 km 26 km steadier and quicker
5 3/8/25 18 km 20 km did 19k run, 1k c/d r+w
6 10/8/25 30 km 27 km not that good, 21 km run, 6 km r+w!
7 17/8/25 32 km 26 km again bit tough, slow after 15th, ended it short of tgt
8 24/8/25 18 km 21 km HYDERABAD Marathon (RACE DAY),
9 31/8/25 30 km 26 km IN USA (Niagara) – good strong run, decent pace
10 7/9/25 25 km 27 km At Connecticut USA – very good one, strong !
11 14/9/25 18 km 21 km Yonkers Marathon, NY. Decent workout
12 21/9/25 35 km 33 km At Atlanta USA, good steady one, longest done!
13 28/9/25 22 km 22 km At Marayland USA, strong and steady
14 5/10/25 18 km 18 km Taper wk- at CHICAGO, steady and easy
Another important aspect I learnt and implemented into my plan was fuelling during long runs, typically what one has to practice during training and keep it same on RACE DAY too. Every 35-40 minutes into a long run, we should have 1 sachet of the energy gel slowly over sips of water. Besides this have a regular sips of water and ensure 250-300 ml water over an hour to avoid dehydration.
The major observation about myself in training was that my performance seemed to be much better in colder conditions than the humid atmosphere which exists in India. Some of the long runs in USA were in very cool weather and very low humidity, which helped me do well. At the same time, some were tough conditions too, like Atlanta, where I did the longest training run of 33 km, the day was humid and temperatures high too. This gave me a good spectrum during training which is always important as RACE DAY weather is in no one’s control.
Looking back at the entire training cycle, there was definite improvement in my endurance and resilience as compared to previous training during TMM FM in Jan 2025. But the aspect of the injury I sustained in end May may have had some impact as well. Part of the training being in USA surely helped in tuning up for RACE DAY, which was in USA only. The entire credit goes to Hitendra Choudhary (HIT FIT Tribe) and special mention to Vishwas Suryawanshi as well for the tips and strategies + special focus on strength workouts.
LAST WEEK.. FOR RACE DAY, CHICAGO WORLD MAJOR
The schedule which I had planned was to be in Chicago for a week before 12th Oct. Got into Chicago on 4th Oct and did the taper week training there. Settled into a small town, Oak Park which is about 15 km from the day of the event (CHICAGO). The place was quaint and had very good surrondings ideal for executing the runs and also nice parks where I could do the easy strength workouts (though did not do any hectic ones). Focus was on good stretches, some easy runs and that would just be it. Only the last long run, of 18 km, I did in Chicago in the lake shore area, this gave me the feel of race day, as I also started the run late (closer to the race day start). Ended up quite happy with the workout, except that went a bit too fast at start as running by the lake side in Chicago is truly refreshing and one of the best paths have run in USA. One tends to get excited and hence go faster than planned.
Did the Expo visit on 10th Oct itself, was joined by our fellow runners from HIT FIT – Abhishek and Priti, we went there for bib collection and bit of shopping in the expo itself. Did not spend much time as it is always better rest and not walk or exert too much in last few days before the event.
On 11th Oct , had a very easy 5 km run. Rest of the day was focus on right food, hydration and rest. I would certaining credit our coach who deviced a very effective taper week which I feel helped immensely. The tips and strategies were to the point and very simple to follow.
I had a good night sleep on 11th Oct night, had an early dinner and was off to sleep by 9 pm . Good 8 hour sleep is what I got. Another important thing was the consumption of bananas. This was of great help and surely was effective. Having 3-4 bananas 4 days before the event is an amazing mantra, and helps a lot. Even besides that, did manage to have at least 2 every day for the entire training period of 14 weeks. There is another important aspect which is Hydration during taper week. I ensured 3 litres of water at least since 5th Oct 2025 itself. 2 days prior to race day, added electrolytes of 1 litre each day as well. Felt that this is something we should follow irrespective of the conditions.
12th Oct 2025 : Race Day – Start
Woke up around 5 am, felt had a good night sleep. With the usual morning nutrition had bananas, few dates and black coffee. From where I was staying (Oak Park, a suburb about 10 miles from Chicago downtown), would need about 30 minutes to travel by metro rail.
Was at the metro station around 545 am and reached Clarke / lake metro station around 615 am. Walked from there to Grant Park, the start point for the race. Weather was good, not too cold and a typical autumn morning, October is generally not too cold in Chicago though weather there is highly unpredictable. A comfortable 14-15 degree Celcius at 7 am local time. Did the warm up at the start point near my Corral. The atmosphere was fantastic, seeing so many participants in excess of 50,000 was truly inspiring. People from all across the world taking part in such a magnificiant event, I was surely grateful to almighty and all my family and running group , HIT FIT Tribe, who have helped me to reach this stage to run the World Major, Chicago Marathon 2025.
START OF THE Race
The start was corral wise and began at 8 am and phase wise the corrals were flagged off. Electric atmosphere with cheering and trememdous excitement all around. By the time I set off, it was around 840 am. Started easy and felt very comfortable as the runners went throught the first km or so, as we entered and ran through the streets of Chicago flanked by tall buildings, the downtown Chicago. This was a first time for me, and seeing the crowd on the sides of the streets was amazing as they all cheered the runners. The level of encouragement and support was fantastic and a once in a lifetime experience. It is a sight one has to experience by being here and running this event. Do learn from other runner friends about most world majors being this way, but for me personally this was first time experience. Besides Chicago is one of my favourite cities which I have visited twice already.
The first 10 km, ¼ th of race done, weather still pretty cool and also most streets shaded due to the large buildings, did not have much of the sunlight. Completed 10 km in 66:20 min. Seemed to be shaping up well and deliberately slowed a bit into the 2nd section of the race (in all strategy was to look at 42 km as 4 sections of 10 km per section, and last 2 km is separate). Finished the 2nd section in 68:17 minutes. The half marathon was done in 2:22:18, a decent time considering this being my first world major and going as per plan and very much looking ahead to finish the full marathon in under 5 hours, which was the target. As we moved ahead on the course the open areas of the route came in which meant we would encounter direct sunlight. It was a sunny day and time was well past 11 am and approaching mid day when the sun is at its brutual best. This started having a toll and I could sense the same affecting me. However I was still steady with my splits and though slower than previous sections, managed to be consistent and not drop any of the splits. But the problem is as pace drops each split’s dropped pace adds on to the overall timing and eventually you end up losing time. Very evident as I could see the 3rd section of 10 km I covered in 74:55 min a clear 8 minutes slower than 1st section and 6 minutes than 2nd section. As I could project my timing after full marathon distance, still looked possible to do under 5 hours.
This is where the entire game is in full marathon. The section after 30 km. Personally for me this has been the clear area for improvement and it showed on race day. Not just today but also in my first full marathon, at Mumbai in Jan 2025. Over the 10 months, seemed that despite the training and working on all aspects of a full marathon, this would be the area where I will need to really work hard and improve. Needless to say it is the strength and flexibility in the legs which what helps one pull through at similar pace or faster in the last section of the full marathon.
I was consistently slowing down with with each split and had to encounter stiffness on almost every part of my legs, particular the left one. After the 31st km did not have a single split which was less than 8:30 min/km. On the contrary it just kept worsening. After 36th km it was all in 10 and 11 min/km pace – lieterally walk. The sun was brutual of couse as the time was well past 1 pm and the route was all through open areas and no shades. This made things definitely worse with temperatures also soaring. This was not a cool Chicago day for sure. While the 3 sections (total 30 km) were done in 3:29:32. Ideally 1:30 hours should have been possible to do the full marathon. But the 4th section of 10 km was the real bad one, unfortunately for me. While it took me a whopping 1:39:44 !!!! This was heartbreaking and terribly discouraging. My mind was just off, and through this section, I had mentally just thought to myself, to finish the race and try to absorb the atmosphere, be grateful to have come this far and took part in this event and also acknowledge the entire support throughout the run. I had just taken my mind off the timings and figures and wanted to just soak in the feel of doing my first world major. Tried my very best in the last 2 km to get in some energy and push hard, which I did but just about did it, jogged, walked and ran but there was no power left. Eventually complete it in 5 hr : 39 min : 58 sec , happy to have finished it without any niggles though cannot call it a strong finish. This was very much unlike my first FM at TMM 2025, where the last 2 km were the fastest over the entire 42 km!
In the end was a very happy me, having completed my first world major. Got the finisher medal and happy to meet our two other friends from HIT FIT Tribe, Abhishek and Priti who did exceedingly well in this event. We just soaked in the atmosphere at the finish point, had our respective post run refreshments and went for some photo sessions. Proceeded to the iconic Bean, one of the must see place in Grant Park area. Took pictures there with the Indian Flag and ended a memorable evening.
Hydration and Fueling
Managed the fuelling well. Every 40 minutes had the Unived Gel and ensured this was taken in as planned. In addition did have a few chocolates beyond the 35th km. Also the electrolytes and water at regular intervals were consumed. Did not alter anything from what I practiced in training throughout my stay in USA which I followed, so that there are no last minute surprises to the body. Being a very sunny day at Chicago, I feel the hydration was crucial and I did not falter due to that. But the slowdown in pace over the last quarter of the race should be something other than Hydration and Fueling which is something for me to work and train on for future.
SUMMARY OF MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL FULL MARATHON
My first World Major full marathon was a memorable experience, mostly because this was abroad and my first real experience of running an event outside of India, that too a full marathon. It was an exhilarating experience and one thing I have understood is every full marathon is a different ball game. While one can predict half marathons most times, full marathons require different mindset. Learning from each run is different, even when you do the long runs in training. However one cannot discount the importance of finishing a full marathon which always should be priority. In my case, I was forced to do that in the last part of the race as finishing it was paramount. It is not only feeling of immense satisfaction but also to learn from the experience and implement a better strategy in upcoming events. It was a fantastic experience for me looking at the overall process right from training and preparation to the final RACE DAY. I would surely give credit to Hitendra and Vishwas who guided me through the entire process of successfully completing Chicago Marathon 2025. Definitely will be training with HIT FIT Tribe for all my future endeavours.
Support on RACE DAY and overall experience
Overall support was very good. This is world major and it is for a reason. There is awesome crowd support, brilliantly managed aspects right from pre race arrangements to the on route hydration to the post race ease and seamless experience for runners. Managing such massive participation is a huge task and congratulations to the organisers for doing such a fantastic job. Right from the expo experience where we collected our bibs to the post race support is great. Logistics and support was great. Considering the ever increasing number of registrations.