Fear and loathing on the marathon trail: Tensions high as thousands of runners flock to Chicago race with ICE roving streets
More than 50,000 runners from over 100 countries will descend on the Windy City this weekend for the Chicago Marathon, a world-renowned race that contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy each year.
Excitement is in the air as the city gears up for Sunday’s race, where athletes have smashed world records in front of millions.
But Chicago is also in the spotlight for a different reason: President Donald Trump‘s “Operation Midway Blitz,” which has seen immigration law enforcement flood the city and led to immigration raids and arrests becoming a daily occurrence.
The raids have sparked fear among Chicago communities, particularly in Latino neighborhoods. That sense of foreboding was also spreading among marathon runners this week.
Instead of sharing excitement about sightseeing along the route or hitting their finish time, social media was alight with fears by minority runners about being snatched up by agents potentially positioned along the route, plans to run with passports in their pouches and debates over whether to run at all.
The concerns came from participants and their families planning to travel from abroad — Chicago welcomes about 10,000 international runners each year — but also those from elsewhere in the U.S. and the Windy City itself. The Independent has contacted organizers of the Chicago Marathon for comment.
On Sunday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that Trump has ordered troops from the Texas National Guard to be deployed to the state, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem likened Chicago to a “war zone” when she was there last week. On Thursday, a judge blocked that National Guard effort for two weeks – but ICE can continue its operations.
“We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion,” Pritzker said.
Days later, Johnson signed an “ICE-Free Zone” executive order, which prohibits federal immigration agents from using any city-owned property in their operations.
The 26.2 mile route, one of the 7 Abbott World Marathon Major events which make up the world championships, winds through 29 neighborhoods, including those where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been carrying out raids.
Meanwhile, an unverified post doing the rounds on social media, from a person claiming to work for the Chicago Park District, added to the panic. “We were informed today that ICE will be all throughout the marathon and told us not to interfere,” the anonymous note said.
The Chicago Park District issued a statement rebuking the post. “Contrary to a post circulating on social media, @ChicagoParks has NOT received any information nor has the District shared any guidance regarding ICE agents at the @chimarathon,” the agency said.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not respond when asked by The Independent how its operations may impact the marathon weekend.
Democratic Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia of Illinois’s 4th District, who has run the Chicago Marathon three times, told The Independent that the runners’ enthusiasm always inspires him and that the event showcases the city’s beauty and hospitality.
