Bank of America Chicago Marathon Race Recap

Over 100 Achilles community members from nine different chapters all over the world came together to participate in the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023. Chapters that were present included:

• Belgium

• Brazil

• Houston

• Mexico

• Mongolia 

• New Jersey

• New York City

• Team Achilles USA (athletes from across the country who do not live near an active Achilles chapter) 

• Washington D.C.

Achilles was also represented at the race by 17 United States military veterans as part of the Achilles Freedom Team. 

Achilles Freedom Team member, Anthony, posing with a hand made sign cheering him on

Achilles Freedom Team member, Cedric, posing with a hand made sign cheering him on

Achilles Freedom Team member, Corey, posing with a hand made sign cheering her on

Achilles Freedom Team member, Dustin, posing with a hand made sign cheering him on

Achilles Freedom Team members, Heather and Jeff, posing with hand made signs cheering them on

Achilles Freedom Team member, Heather, posing with a hand made sign cheering her on

Freedom Team members fist bumping each other at the finish line

Achilles Freedom Team member, Jim, posing with a hand made sign cheering him on

Achilles Freedom Team member, Latseen, posing with a hand made sign cheering him on

Achilles Freedom Team member, Rob, posing with a hand made sign cheering him on

Achilles Freedom Team member, Toai, posing with a hand made sign cheering him on

Group photo of individuals holding up home made signs cheering on the Achilles Freedom Team

The race weekend kicked off on Thursday with a special presentation to community members and race leaders by Achilles Freedom Team athlete, Master Sergeant Cedric King, about how Achilles is making an impact. 

Achilles athletes were treated to a welcome dinner celebration on Friday. The evening was hosted by the Bank of America Military Support & Assistance Group (MSAG), the Bank of America Disability Action Network (DAN), and the Bank of America Asian Leadership Network (ALN). Achilles is grateful for this partnership and for Bank of America’s efforts to ensure that the weekend was extra special for our athletes, including organizing an architectural boat tour for some of our members.  

Achilles athletes had a strong presence in the racing wheelchair division, including three female veterans representing the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps. 

Katy Sanchez of Achilles New Jersey gave it her all on the course, as she worked towards completing her first Chicago Marathon while raising funds to support her local chapter. “I was blessed to be able to fundraise and reach my goal for Achilles,” Katy says. “Thank you to all the wonderful people at Achilles that support me and my running career!”

For the second year in a row, HOKA athlete, Raj Pannu, participated in the Chicago Marathon as a volunteer guide for an Achilles athlete. He crossed the finish line alongside Batzorig “Zoro” Baasai of the Mongolia chapter. Achilles is the official nonprofit partner of HOKA. 

We thank our sponsors and partners for making the weekend special: Bank of America, Cigna, the GM Military Appreciation Program, and DAV. 

We are blown away by the dedication and passion of all of our athletes. We are looking forward to the rest of an exciting fall marathon season! 

Want to race next year’s Chicago Marathon? Apply now to fundraise for Team Achilles and earn guaranteed entry. 

Achilles athlete posing with his guides and their Chicago Marathon medals

Cedric Kind running on his running blades on the Chicago Marathon race course

Katy Sanchez smiling with her Chicago Marathon medal

Raj Pannu and Achilles athlete Batzorig “Zoro” Baasai posing with their Chicago Marathon medals

Achilles members posing together at the Chicago Marathon finish line