The Chicago marathon, one of the largest races in the world, should take place next weekend in the context of the Trump administration’s push to intensify the application of immigration and send troops from the National Guard to the city.
The timing has caused a new type of anxiety of the day of the race for the more than 50,000 runners, many of whom are from abroad, who should participate, weaving in 29 Chicago districts on Sunday morning while more than 1.7 million spectators look at it.
“We have learned that around 3,000 Mexico runners have signed up for this marathon, and I want everyone to come,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson from Chicago on Tuesday. “I believe that the best way we can demonstrate resistance is not to bend the knee to tyranny.”
The marathon route passes through several districts known for high concentrations of immigrants, notably Pilsen in the Lower West Side and Little Village on the southwest side, each with an American mixer population. These areas have become quieter in recent weeks, threats from immigration raids have sown fear.
According to the organizers, around 40% of the field travels internationally in Chicago for the race, according to around 20,000 people. Some of them have published on social networks, asking for advice on the situation in Chicago. Should they run with their passports? Should they abandon the race? What should runners do if they see someone held along the course? People have expressed their concern that a follow -up application on the day of the race could be armed by federal agents, and some advised runners to do their status in the private application.
Anxiety has increased every passing day. A recent article on social networks saying that there would be a federal immigration application activity along the marathon road has become viral. The Chicago Park district has rejected, saying that it had not received any information or advice on such plans by federal agents, but that has not calmed the fears of certain runners who have trained for the event for months.
Marathon runners got used to safety at the airport level during major races since the boston marathon bombing in 2013. But the nerves of the day of the race are generally focused on leg cramps and stomach aches, not the possibility of being removed from the course by immigration agents.
In Reddit Threads, many people offered to solidarize with runners who felt particularly vulnerable.
“Tell your friend to execute Sub 3 with me,” said a post. “If someone looks even by crossing this finish line, I will protect it and I don’t care what to do.”
