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'Chicago River Marathon' Begins And Ends At Bridgeport Boathouse Saturday

By Joe Ward | September 6, 2017 5:44am
 The Chicago River Marathon will begin and end at the Eleanor Street Boathouse in Bridgeport on Saturday, Sept. 9.
The Chicago River Marathon will begin and end at the Eleanor Street Boathouse in Bridgeport on Saturday, Sept. 9.
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Lincoln Park Boat Club

BRIDGEPORT — The Chicago River Marathon rowing race will begin and end at the Eleanor Street Boathouse Saturday — and it's not too late to sign up for the regatta.

The marathon and half-marathon regatta will see teams of rowers race up and down the Chicago River, giving participants a unique and scenic view of the city. Rowers participating in the full race will traverse the lake from Bridgeport to Albany Park and back, going by the Civic Opera House, Merchandise Mart and other downtown landmarks, according to the Lincoln Park Boat Club, which organizes the event. Half-marathon participants wil go from Bridgeport to Kinzie Street and back.

Registration for the event has been extended up until Saturday, when the ceremonies beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the Eleanor Street Boathouse, 2828 S. Eleanor St., the city's newest boathouse. It is the first year the event has been hosted at the Bridgeport launch site. Organizers, however, caution that the race isn't for everyone.

"The Chicago River Marathon and Half-Marathon is a regatta that will challenge the toughest of rowers who seek an adventurous row that rivals the average head race," the event's website reads.

Those who would rather not row that length can watch from land at the boathouse or at the Chicago Riverwalk, according to organizers. The race will also pass each of the city's moveable bridges.

The full marathon will begin at 7 a.m. and the half marathon will start around 8 a.m. A medals ceremony will begin around 10 a.m. Following that, an afterparty brunch will be held at the Duck Inn, 2701 S. Eleanor St.

Those interested in participating can email organizers at marathon@lpboatclub.org

The Chicago River Marathon will pass every one of Chicago's moveable bridges. [Lincoln Park Boat Club]