In November 1976 at the Metropolitan YMCA on LaSalle Street, five key founders of what would eventually become the Bank of America Chicago Marathon met to begin discussions and planning. Those present included Wayne Goeldner, physical education director of the Hyde Park YMCA; Wendell “Wendy” Miller, a partner in a financial advising firm and founder of Midwest Masters Running Club; Bill Robinson, Executive Director of Friends of Parks; Sharon Mier, Director of Women’s Sports at the Loop Center YMCA; and Dr. Noel Nequin, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at the Swedish Convenant Hospital. At this meeting, the group decided it was time for a Marathon in Chicago.Talks of a Marathon continued, but little was actually done to stage the race. The turning point came in May 1977 when Nequin organized the first mega race in Chicago (the Ravenswood Bank Lakefront 10-Mile Run). The race was a great success, with over 1,000 runners participating, up from an expected 200-300. Michael Bilandic, Chicago’s new Mayor and an avid runner, was invited to theevent. Not only did he show up to lend his support, but he and his wife, Heather, also handed out the awards to the winners. The Mayor’s strong support and overwhelming runner participation gave the Marathon’s founders, who weren’t quite sure if a marathon could succeed in Chicago, the inspiration they needed to make the City’s first 26.2-mile road race a reality.
Suddenly 1977 was becoming a landmark year for running in Chicago. Several other shorter races were organized for the first time in addition to the Marathon, including the First Chicago Distance Classic with almost 5,000 runners, an unheard number of participants at the time. But running fever did not stop with the new races. After seeing the success of the Lakefront 10, Mayor Bilandic decided to make Chicago “the running capital of the world.” To further show his support, Bilandic turned five miles of an old equestrian path along the lakefront into jogging paths, creating a scenic course for runners that today stretches 18 miles and is more popular than ever. Thus, with all of the new events and opportunities, Chicago’s running community was enjoying an explosion of excitement and participation.
By July 1977, Wendy Miller approached his friend and fellow Chicago businessman Lee Flaherty. Miller convinced Flaherty, a running enthusiast himself, to have his company, Flair Communications, be the official sponsor of the Marathon. Dr. Nequin and Flaherty then had a lunch meeting at the Drake Hotel with William Daley, son of the late Mayor Richard J. Daley, about naming the Marathon. Following the meeting, the Daley family gave its blessing to name the race the Mayor Daley Marathon.
Initially set-up with a $5 entry fee and an 8 a.m. starting time, the race was scheduled for September 25, 1977, and specific jobs were distributed amongst the founders. Nequin was the medical director; Miller was the race director; Goeldner was in charge of registration; Mier was responsible for organizing 700 volunteers to marshal and officiate the race; and Robinson was treasurer. In addition, Erma Trantor, a friend of Mier's, was hired to be the race coordinator; Ruth Ratny, a business friend of Flaherty’s, was to publicize the race.
The first ever Mayor Daley Marathon was soon to be a great success. Ads declared it the “people’s race anyone can come and enjoy,” and that was the approach organizers took. Then, on September 25, the hard work of many dedicated people who established the race as something for the entire city, paid off.
1977: Dan Cloeter, 2:17:52 - Dorothy Doolittle, 2:50:47 - September 25, 1977
Over 4,200 runners turned out for the first Mayor Daley Marathon, making it the largest marathon in the world. Cloeter, from Indiana, and Doolittle, from Texas, battled the crowds to become Chicago’s first winners in a race that 2,128 actually finished. According to Cloeter, who had run in several other marathons, “I just wanted to win.” Doolittle’s victory not only was a personal best time, but also would be her last marathon.
Other competitors included Wesley Paul, an 8-year-old who finished in 3:15:20, setting a world record in his age group. Jack Donahue was the final person across the finish line at 7:09:42. The only glitch of the race occurred when the ceremonial starter’s cannon misfired into the crowd, injuring two spectators. Ironically, the two burned were the wife and daughter of Wayne Goeldner, an original race founder. Despite the accident, the Marathon ran very smoothly and otherwise was an event for the whole city to enjoy.
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