Watching her sister-in-law jog across the Columbus Drive bridge at the start of the Chicago Marathon on Sunday morning was a bittersweet moment for Andrea Wilde.
The Minneapolis woman was supposed to be running, too, but instead she stood on the sidelines, an orthotic boot on her left leg.
"Now I have to run it next year. I can't not," said Wilde, 31, who tore a calf muscle nine weeks ago while training for the 26.2-mile race.
As she and thousands of other spectators cheered on friends and family from the sidelines, Wilde remarked that seeing all kinds of runners - first-timers, elite athletes, senior citizens and those with physical disabilities - was inspiring.
"This is probably the coolest thing I've seen in a long time," Wilde said. "Everybody's just cheering each other on."
More than 41,000 participants started the race, leaving in waves beginning at 7:20 a.m. At 2:45 p.m., about 3,000 were still making their way toward the finish line, Executive race director Carey Pinkowski said at an afternoon news conference.
The day offered "almost ideal conditions for runners," and the number of injured taken to local hospitals, 24, was lower than in past years, said George Chiampas, medical director for the race,
Two of those taken to the hospital required resuscitation efforts en route, Chiampas said.
At about the 7-mile mark, a fellow runner performed CPR on a 29-year-old man who was later transferred to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was in stable condition Sunday afternoon, Chiampas said. A 59-year-old man who required CPR near 13th Street and Michigan Avenue was in critical condition at Mercy Hospital, Chiampas said.
More than 800 runners required medical care either along the route or at the finish line.
For thousands of runners, the cool and bright fall morning was a memorable one. Ariel Salazar, 32, said he felt great after posting a personal record of 4 hours, 12 minutes and 51 seconds.
"It's one of those things that I never thought I'd be able to do in my life," said Salazar, of St. Charles, who was running his third marathon with his wife. "It's a beautiful day for a race. And I just think this city is freaking awesome."
For many spectators, the day was about celebrating and encouraging the long-distance runners even if they didn't know any of them personally.
Angel Stech, 33, who lives in Lakeview, drove with her husband and two children to the Little Italy neighborhood to stake out a spot where Stech knew her voice would be most appreciated.
Waving a pink cowbell and neon pink sign, Stech called out runners' numbers as they approached the 18-mile mark. She said she chose the stretch between the 17- and 18-mile marks because that can be the most challenging point in a race.
"Way to go, 766! One-eighty-two, you're looking great!" she cheered.
A marathon runner herself, Stech said she sat this one out but couldn't stay home knowing that there were others who were pushing their limits and could use some support.
"I know what it's like to be out there," Stech said. "When I run, I always enjoy the spectators. That little encouragement from a stranger, it really does help you."
Chris Shields, 26, of Lake Geneva, Wis., who was running in his first marathon, echoed that sentiment, saying that kind words from other runners helped him push through the pain when his calves cramped up during the race.
"Everybody around me just kept saying keep going," Shields said. "Everybody was super positive."
Shields said he threw up halfway through the race, but still declared his debut at 26.2 miles to be a great experience and one that he looked forward to repeating.
"I got plenty of tips for next time," he said. "I'm not going to get super giddy at the start and try to pass a lot of people. I'm going to pace myself a little better."
As the runners made their way into the Pilsen neighborhood, the route took on the feel of a block party or parade. Drummers performed at Ashland Avenue and 18th Street, where supporters handed out food and drinks and danced in the street.
"Si se puede!" shouted Juanita Hernandez, 60, as she waved a Mexican flag and passed bananas to the runners.
Hernandez drove from Merrillville, Ind., as she does each year. She staked out a spot along 18th Street and stocked it with water, fruit and liquor in case runners needed anything.
"When I see these people's faces and see they're struggling, hurting, I just want them to see my smile and know, you can do it," Hernandez said.
Ken Regan, 35, was among a group of people who handed out shots of beer, a 15-year tradition that brings a festive element to the race, he said.
"The best part is the smiles," Regan said. "Even if they're not going to take (the beer), they still smile and that's great."
Regan, who lives in Humboldt Park, said he brought 60 beers for the occasion. The beer was starting to run out about 3 1/2 hours into the race.
"You find that pack of people who are not too serious (about the race), and it starts flying off the table," Regan said.
From a spot just before the finish line, Marie-Rose Klotz, 38, waited for her husband to complete his third marathon. About 3 hours and 40 minutes had passed when Klotz thought she saw him making his way down the final stretch.
She pulled out her phone, snapping photos as he passed.
Then she laughed.
"I took a picture of this man. He's not even my husband," said Klotz, of Bordeaux, France. When her husband did pass by minutes later, she waved and screamed his name.
"I'm so pleased," she said.
Nearby, David Sweet, 68, and his wife waited for their daughter and son-in-law to finish the race. Sweet, of Rochester, N.Y., said that they don't see their daughter and her husband very often now that they live in South Carolina, so they make the trip to see them compete whenever they can.
"It's fun to be with them once in a while," he said. "I wish I was back in shape and could join them."