Day 83 - Romeoville - Chicago, IL – Valparaiso, IN

Brynn and huge group of guest runners pass Buckingham Fountain approaching the Chicago exchange point.

After a quiet night, the 7:30 am exchange point in Joliet was at a Dow plant where 40 employees provided breakfast for the runners! Unfortunately for Richard, this is where he started his run and missed out on the festivities. He did, however, get to start this run with his father!

The runners took the “all-inclusive” route through Chicago this afternoon into evening, covering approximately 60 miles of the Windy City. Brynn ran along Lake Shore Drive next to beautiful Lake Michigan where she was joined for the first part of her run by Chris of Evanston, IL. She was later accompanied to an excellent exchange point near Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park – by 30 people! Dow employees, Golin Harris employees and friends of the Run joined Brynn to run into the exchange point, some for 5 miles, some for 3 miles, some for 1. There was a spectacular crowd at the exchange, a lot of the runner's family members, friends and colleagues were present, and speeches were given by Dow Biocides General Manager, Mark Henning, and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn.

Team Silver and Yellow pose with lieutenant governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn.

Emmanuel runs into the exchange next to Wrigley Field.

Brynn and Simon explain the run and the water situation to the crowd from the stage in Chicago.

Where's Waldo or where's Jin? While Emmanuel was running today, he recognized BPR founder Jin Zidell on a busy street corner. Jin was trying to re-connect after getting separated from the rest of the team; after a big hug, Emmanuel redirected Jin and then was on his way. Team Silver's run was through all types of neighborhoods and, though no one had signed up to be an official guest runner, there were several people who tried to keep up for a few yards, at the least, and many others shouting encouragement as the runners made it through their streets.

Dot reports the most dramatic part of the day, “We were surrounded by lightning and distant thunder when, about 8.5 miles into the run, the storms hit full force. Inches of rain filled the streets in minutes as we were washed clean of our perspiration and immediately refreshed. The rains continued throughout our shift as we jumped in and out of the pilot van for safety in the path of the violent strikes.” Thankfully, everyone reached Indiana intact.

Brynn plays the pied piper for water through Chicago.