Strength in Numbers: Heroes Preview Marathon’s Final 10 Miles

As with many bold undertakings, one of the biggest obstacles to completing a marathon is the unknown. That’s why our Endurance program offers our Heroes team members a special preview of a significant portion of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon course. On a Sunday morning in August, “The Final 10” training run stepped off from Mercy Home’s West Loop Campus, which is conveniently situated just before Mile 17 of the marathon route. Participants ran on the sidewalks along the last 10 miles of the course to Grant Park, where the marathon will finish this October, before returning to Mercy Home. 

While The Final 10 familiarizes runners with the physical realities of the marathon’s last stretch, the mental preparation it offered may turn out to be their greatest advantage come race day. 

“While every long run during training is important, this event is particularly helpful for first-time marathoners,” said Endurance Program Manager Mary Connolly.

She pointed out that most runners feel fresh and energized at the start and then focus throughout the first 16 miles on getting a boost from cheering friends, family and fans amassed at the Mercy Mile. 

“But then when they get a block further down the road,” she said, “reality tends to kick in: ‘I still have 10 miles to go!’” 

But thanks to the low-pressure trial run through that is The Final 10, Connolly said, “They’ll be able to say, I’ve done this part already,”come October.

Mercy Home Hero and first-time marathoner Laura Grace Brill found the preview helpful. A longtime runner who has completed numerous half marathons, Brill has spent years hoping to tackle a full 26.2 miles. Injuries, illness, family moves, and life changes repeatedly delayed that goal. Now, as she prepares to celebrate her 40th birthday, she'll finally take on the challenge of running her first full Marathon. The Final 10 offered Brill insights and motivation she couldn't get from her normal training routes.

"I decided this would be a good way to see the end of the race," Brill said. "I also wanted to get to meet more people at Mercy Home, because I thought that would help me remember why I'm doing this."

Along the route, Brill joined a small pace group led by seasoned marathon runner and Mercy Home Hero Pete Miscinski, who highlighted key locations along the route and shared advice from his own years of experience.

"He pointed out every spot," Brill said. "He was like, 'Okay, this part, there's not a lot of people cheering. This part, you're going to need to dig deep.’"

Those tips helped transform an abstract challenge into something more tangible.

"It was good mentally to just kind of think through what it'll be like on the day," Brill said.

For first-time marathoners particularly, the Final 10 experience complimented their physical training. Brill said she hadn't fully appreciated before how much of the race is spent relying on internal motivation.

“You have to really be okay with their not being some places where people are cheering and have a plan mentally of how you're going to keep going and why you're doing this,” Brill said. 

A native of Kentucky, Brill is an instructor at the City Colleges of Chicago. She said she has watched the marathon from the sidelines near her home in the Southwest Side Pilsen community, a popular spot at Mile 19 for fans to gather and celebrate on race day. 

“There's bands, there's music, there's food. It's really a big deal,” Brill said. “It's a big party. And yeah, it's exciting and I'll be on the other side running it this time.”

As an observer, she noticed the hundreds of Mercy Home Heroes who streamed past and along 18th street, which she remembered when looking up charities to run for in the marathon. She said Mercy Home was an easy choice. 

“It is right in line with our family's idea of helping people on the margins, helping people who are vulnerable, especially kids.” 

Along with other participants in The Final 10, Brill had the opportunity to tour the Home’s West Loop Campus.

“It was good to see what goes on here, why we’re doing it.”

But Brill particularly enjoyed the insights into the Home’s impact she gleaned from former resident and veteran Hero Pat Zamkin. 

“It was great, actually, to meet Pat, and hear his story,” she said. 

Like Miscinski, Zamkin served as a pace group leader for the event and provided tips and insights along the run. 

“I think it's important to come out here and help support some of the people [for whom] this is their first time,” Zamkin said. “I just want to help out, and share the experience that I have, and maybe somebody else can benefit from that.”

Zamkin, who is running the Chicago course for the 10th time this year, also takes pride in acting as a tour guide for runners. 

“I love the city of Chicago and along the way, there's a lot of things I like to point out.”

He’s quick to point out that while The Final 10 is a good dress rehearsal, it can still be difficult for the first timer to fully appreciate the marathon experience until that Sunday morning in October. 

“The thing that's missing, obviously, is the crowd,” Zamkin said. “A crowd of people, you know, [for example] in Pilsen. On game day. It's a party out there. Everybody's out. Music is blaring. People are supporting you. It's wonderful.” 

Zamkin credited Carey Pinkowski and Greg Hipp of Chicago Event Management for the incredible success and smooth operation of this world-class marathon each year and what it means to the community.

“The support that the city gives to this event. It's not only that there are people coming from all over the world, but this city of Chicago really embraces it.”

In addition to serving as a helpful preview of the marathon, The Final 10 also underscored the sense of community the pervades our Heroes team. While many people embrace the quiet solitude and reflection that running allows, both Zamkin and Brill also enjoy the social aspect. Brill runs with the CARA program in Hyde Park while Zamkin runs with an organized group in forest preserves of Southern Cook County and in events in his hometown of Flossmoor. Both benefit from the encouragement of others. 

“At least for me, you know, my training changed so much when I started running with other people,” Zamkin said. “You know, having that support, having people out there that are experiencing some of the same things.”

He added that he has met people through his marathon participation with whom he remains friends today. 

As for first-timer Brill, she’s also looking forward to October and the experience that so many have told her about—the triumphant and celebratory atmosphere of the Mercy Mile.   

“I heard, for some people the Mercy Mile’s the best part of the race for them,” she said. “Or even if they're not running for Mercy Home, they say that was their favorite spot.

The final 10 miles of the marathon won't be easy. But thanks to the community they've built through our Endurance program, our Heroes won't have to face them alone.