The Chicago Marathon took place on 24 October, and 24,594 runners finished it this year. Three of whom came from Cornwall. This marathon is recognised as the fastest course in the world, taking a flat route around Chicago town and its' suburbs, and attracts most of the worlds best marathon runners. It is a well organised race around a beautiful city with three of the worlds highest buildings, including Sears Tower. The route is lined with a brilliant crowd, and the support was "Awesome".

The race started at 7.30am in 320F with a cold wind making it feel more like 20~25cF. Among the elite men and women was Marion Sutton from Looe.

The men's race was won by Khalid Khannouchi (Morocco) in a world best time of 2:05.42, he is at present applying for American citizenship. Second was Moses Tanui (Kenya) in 2:06.16 (the third fastest time in marathon history), and third was Ondoro Osoro (Kenya) in 2:07.59.

The ladies race was won by Joyce Chepchumba (Kenya) in 2:25.59, a second ahead of compatriot Margaret Okayo 2:56. Third was Elena Meyer (South Africa) in a time of 2:27.17. Marion Sutton stuck to her race plan of getting an Olympic qualifying time, which brought her home in seventh place in 2:28.42, a personal best for her and hopefully enough to get her selected for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Mike Erith from East Cornwall Harriers, enjoyed the flat course and ran a well paced race clocking a time of 1:24.31 at the half way point, and finishing in 2:48.57. This was a personal best performance for him by three minutes (previously set in London earlier this year). It bought him home in 375th position overall and 4th in his age category of 50-54. Mike will be waiting for the London Marathon next year to see if he can improve still further on his time.

Amanda Erith, who was in Chicago on holiday with the children to support husband Mike, decided to enter the race at the last minute, although she hadn't been training for a marathon. She treated it as a training run and enjoyed taking in the sights and scenery on route. Amanda managed to clock a very respectable time of 3:58.24, and was in 9,637th position. Hopefully following this success she will be competing in the forthcoming Cornish Marathon later this month.

Sunday 31st October saw the running of the 14th Guy Fawkes 10 mile road race. This year the course was slightly changed but still enjoyed the undulations of the area around Plymstock, and the lovely views across the Tamar estuary. The event was well organised by Instinctive Sports, and the course well marshalled. As in previous years all proceeds were donated to St Lukes Hospice.

There was a welcome break in the recent wet windy weather, making the conditions very comfortable for running.

The winner of the race this year was Barry Reynolds (Exeter Harriers) in a time of 54:54, second was Robert Wise (Westbury Harriers) 55:14, and third was Shaun Milford (Newquay Road Runners) 55:28.

The ladies race was won by Jo Kelsey (Tavistock) in a time of 67:35. Stephanie

Ross (Teignbridge) came second in 69:18 and third was Jennifer Mills (Bideford AC) in 69:35.

East Cornwall Harriers managed to pick up two trophies In the race. Revis Crowle was 2nd lady home in the 035 vet category, in a time of 72:04, and Amanda Erith, despite only completing the Chicago Marathon a week previously, won the first lady 045 vet category in a time of 79:42.

In the team prizes the East Cornwall Harriers ladies team managed to retrain the position they won last year as the first team home. The team consisted of Revis Crowle, Jacky Tyler and Amanda Erith. The male team prize was won by Plymouth Harriers.

ECH runners; Mike Erith 68mins (approx.), Nick Stone 70mins, Richard Daulton 74mins (approx.), Jacky Tyler 74:58.