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Summer Marathon Training

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Dates

June 10 to October 13, 2024

  • Saturday/Sunday - Long Runs

  • Wednesday - Track Workouts

Description

Group training program targeting the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and other fall marathons

Locations

City Locations: Downtown, Montrose Beach, Lincoln Park

Suburban Locations: Darien, Libertyville, Niles, Oak Forest, Schaumburg, Wheaton

Overview

The marathon is challenging, but CARA's Power of the Group™ will provide you the support, community, and accountability you need to successfully reach the finish line.

 

In 2023, CARA trained 2,434 runners for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon - our largest number of training participants in CARA history!

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As Chicago's premier group training program, we have helped tens of thousands of runners successfully complete their goals. Whether you're a newcomer or experienced runner, our program provides training plans that meet you where you're at.

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You will never have to do it alone. Your pace group leaders and fellow participants will give you the Power of the Group™ that has led CARA runners to the finish line more than any other program in Chicagoland running.

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Your training program is led by CARA coaches who have national certifications and years of proven coaching success long before we bring them into CARA.​​

​Group Training Benefits:

  • 6-week pre-season training guide to prepare you for the season

  • 18-week training plan with six options (Run/Walk, Novice I, Novice II, Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced II)

  • Weekly educational newsletters

  • Video guided marathon strength training plan

  • Group training long runs

    • (Saturday & Sunday options) led by group leaders for 7:30 to 11:30 pace/mile run, and 12:00 to 13:00 pace/mile run/walk

    • Please review the full list of paces offered at each location HERE​

  • Coach led track workouts (Wednesdays)

  • Hydration support at training runs: water and Gatorade Endurance

  • Ready to Run 20 Miler entry included (for in-person group training and virtual local options only)

  • Access to PUMA's Marathon VIP Experience on Bank of America Chicago Marathon race day

  • Private toilet access at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon start corrals

  • Rush Physical Therapy injury hotline

  • CARA Training PUMA tank (group training)

  • Access to a private STRAVA group for program participants

 

To view virtual training benefits, CLICK HERE.

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Important Dates: 

April 29: Pre-season guide begins

May 27: Packet pick-up begins

June 10: Training plans begins

June 12: First group speed workout

June 15: First group long run

June 23: Packet pick-up ends

September 22: Ready to Run 20 Miler 

October 13th: PUMA's Marathon VIP Experience and Bank of America Chicago Marathon 

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Target Race/s:

  • Bank of America Chicago Marathon

  • Training plan adjustments are available for other fall marathons by request. Email training@cararuns.org

registration

Group Long Run Locations

CARA training group long runs are offered at locations throughout the city and suburbs. Participants have access to all locations through the season and are not restricted to only their primary registration choice. (Click location maps for google map). 2024 training sites are listed below. To see what pace groups are offered at each location, CLICK HERE.

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Chicago - Downtown

Monroe Harbor

Saturdays 6:00 a.m.

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Chicago - Lincoln Park

Diversey Harbor

Saturdays 6:00 a.m.

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Chicago - Montrose

Montrose Beach

Saturdays 6:00 a.m.

Saturdays 6:30 a.m.

Sundays 6:30 a.m.

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Darien

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

Saturdays 7:00 a.m.

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Libertyville

Old School Forest Preserve

Saturdays 6:45 a.m.

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Niles

Bunker Hill Forest Preserve

Saturdays 7:00 a.m.

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Oak Forest

Yankee Woods

Saturdays 6:50 a.m.

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Schaumburg

Busse Woods Forest Preserve

Saturdays 6:30 a.m.

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Wheaton
Central Athletic Complex

Saturdays 6:15 a.m.

Group Track Workout Locations

CARA training group track workouts are offered at locations throughout the city and suburbs. Participants have access to all locations throughout the season. 2024 locations are listed below.

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Program Coaches

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James Diamond
Head Coach
Coach Bio
 

Athletic Achievements:

  • NCAA Student Athlete (2013-2017)

    • 10,000m- 32:54

  • Performance Running Outfitters Racing Team (2019-2021)

    • Mile- 4:33, 5,000m- 15:43, Half Marathon- 1:14:35

  • CARA Racing Team (2024-Present)

    • 8,000m- 27:19, Marathon- 2:43:22

 

Coaching Roles:

  • Lisle High School Assistant Cross Country (2016)

  • Carthage Run Club Head Coach (2016-2017)

  • Wisconsin Lutheran College Assistant Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (2017-2019)

  • Rockford University Head Cross Country Coach (2019-2023)

  • Rockford FIRE Head Track & Field Coach (2021-2022)

  • Chicago Area Runners Association Manager of Coaching and Training (2023-Present)

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Coaching Achievements:

  • 14x All-Conference Honors, 4x Conference Champions, 1x All-Region within distance events (Wisconsin Lutheran 2017-2019)

  • Started the “Warrior Youth Running Camp” (Wisconsin Lutheran 2018)

  • 5th & 10th fastest women’s Cross Country times in school history (Rockford University 2020 & 2022)

  • Men’s school record in 400m hurdles (Rockford University 2021)

  • Highest men’s team at the conference & regional cross country championships in 10 years (Rockford University 2022)

  • 2 All-Conference Cross Country athletes (Rockford University 2020-2021)

  • 31 national qualifiers across 47 events (Rockford FIRE 2021-2022)

 

volunteer

Volunteer

CARA training programs rely on dedicated volunteer site coordinators, group leaders, and coaches to support program participants, and provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

 

Site coordinators are recruited from experienced program group leaders. Those interested in becoming a site coordinator now, or in the future as openings are available, should contact CARA Executive Director Tim Bradley (tim@cararuns.org).

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Group leaders are the backbone of CARA training programs. Group leaders keep runners safe, organized, on-pace, and motivated during training runs. Those interested in becoming a group leader can learn more HERE.

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Coaches are needed to support CARA track workouts. Experienced coaches may be tabbed with leading a workout, where others can assist with workout organization and timing while learning. Those interested in becoming a coach or assistant coach should contact CARA Executive Director Tim Bradley (tim@cararuns.org).​

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Hydration Volunteers are needed to support hydration stations at training locations. Volunteers may volunteer for a single date or a season. Interested volunteers can check out opportunities on our volunteer page.

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