The steady pounding of feet on the pavement and the encouraging cheers of spectators once again filled the streets of Chicago on Sunday for the 46th annual Chicago Marathon. Around 50,000 runners were registered for the race, one of the six largest marathons in the world.

Fans cheered runners on the 26.2-mile route that winds through 29 neighborhoods on Chicago's north, west and south sides. Chicago's mostly flat course is also known for breaking records. And Sunday was no different as Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich won the marathon with an official time of 2:09:56, becoming the first woman in history to run under 2:10.

Runners told the Sun-Times that the energy along the route was high thanks to the constant cheering and mesmerizing views of the city. Tens of thousands of gallons of Gatorade and water, as well as 12,000 pounds of bananas, were distributed at aid stations throughout the course.

Among the athletes taking part on Sunday morning was Batbayar Tserendorj, a man from the northern suburbs. He ran his second Chicago Marathon.

Last year, the night before he was scheduled to run his first marathon in Chicago, Tserendorj received a call he had been waiting months for since being diagnosed with liver cancer in the spring of 2023. Doctors did what they could to stop the tumors from growing, but nothing had worked. His best chance was a liver transplant.

“So I had to wait,” said Tserendorj. “Your dreams are turned upside down when you find out you have cancer.”

To cope with his diagnosis, the then 60-year-old turned to training for the marathon.

“I had to be strong and keep myself busy, not just by reading books or watching TV, but by doing something physical that I could challenge myself with,” he said.

His doctors gave her the OK and told him, “Don’t put any pressure, just listen to your body.”

Then, hours before the 2023 Chicago Marathon, his doctors at Northwestern Medicine called and told him a new liver was ready; he had to go to the hospital immediately.

Tserendorj was torn. His wife and son told him to leave immediately. But Tserendorj had trained so hard.

“I felt good, I had no pain and I trained all summer,” he said. “I asked my doctors if I could give the liver to someone else. If the organ goes to waste, I will leave.”

His doctors assured him that another patient would receive the liver. The next day he completed his first marathon. And 19 days later, on October 27th, he received his new liver. On Sunday he started again.

“I dedicate my race to all organ donors,” said Tserendorj. He tells everyone he knows that he is an organ donor and calls it “a second chance at a new life.”

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun Time

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun Time

Gonna get donuts

In Little Italy, music played around the 19th mile to keep the runners' energy up. Spectators rang cowbells, cheered and held up signs with funny sayings or photos of their loved ones.

Gisselle Izaguirre, 19, came from Plainfield to watch the marathon. She stood along the route with three dozen glazed Dunkin' donuts, providing runners with a much-needed sugar rush.

Most walked by without a second glance at the treats, but a few runners stopped to grab some.

“I just thought it would be a fun way for the runners to enjoy the marathon and not take it too seriously,” Izaguirre said.

Izaguirre, a runner herself, has completed a half marathon and hopes to run the Chicago Marathon soon, she said.

“It's definitely really inspiring to see people get up and run 26 miles for fun,” she said. “It’s definitely motivating.”

Adeolu Bilewu was in Chicago to watch his 27-year-old daughter Bethany Bilewu finish the marathon. He held a sign that read, “My Favorite Daughter.”

“I am so proud, she is my first child, my first daughter. I’m definitely happy for her, she’s a go-getter,” he said.

Watching the marathon was Bilewu's introduction to Chicago and his first time watching a marathon.

“Chicago is the best in the USA”

At the finish line in Grant Park, the streets were swarming with people, including runners draped in shiny silver blankets and purple finisher medals. Spectators carrying bouquets of flowers and bananas craned their necks and looked for their runners.

Neil Garrett, 46, sat on the grass icing his calves shortly after crossing the finish line. He took selfies in his finisher's blanket but described his mood during the run as “shocked” and “disappointed”.

Last year he ran the Chicago Marathon and the London Marathon twice in his home country.

He had battled migraines and jet lag to cross the finish line. But the support of his 18-year-old daughter, the energy of the crowd and the view of Chicago helped him finish the race.

“My support system told me I had to finish,” he said.

Tatiana Moritz, 48, and Cesar Moritz, 51, traveled from southern Brazil to run their first Chicago Marathon. The pair have run several marathons, including another of the seven majors, the Berlin Marathon.

“I like Berlin and Chicago, both are great cities,” said Cesar Moritz. “But Chicago was more exciting – the crowd, the music. We know many cities, but Chicago is the best in the USA.”

Both described Chicago as having a “good vibe” and said the music and humor along the route kept them going. And as for the rest of the day, her plans are simple.

“Celebrate and drink a lot,” said Moritz, toasting his wife with his Goose Island 312 beer.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun Time

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun Time

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun Time

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun Time