Bilandic--Marathon 9/21/17/77

Name: Bilandic--Marathon 9/21/17/77
Uploaded: October 6 2026 at 15:50:35
Description: Tim Weigel of WLS-TV reports on Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic running the 1977 Mayor Daley Marathon. This was the first year of what is today called the Chicago Marathon. Bilandic attributes his completion of the race to drinking Chicago's tap water.

Transcript (Download)

The mayor in his entourage began the 26 mile course a little after three this afternoon.

The mayor's wife Heather jogged part of the way, covering five or six miles before riding to the finish line in an unmarked police car.

The mayor ran into problems only once, failing to find a restroom that was open until the 20 mile mark.

But after that it was smooth sailing, as mayor Belandick breezed across the finish line, completing the 26 mile course about four and a half hours after he started.

The mayor attributed his achievement to the Chicago Lakewater he drank along the way.

As you know, the Chicago water is the greatest water anywhere in the world.

The only water to use to challenge us was lures.

But I've been training on Chicago water for this marathon and I want to officially proclaim the first miracle attributable to Chicago water.

So lures better watch out.

So now mayor Belandick's going to find a nice quiet spot and wash down some of that Chicago Lakewater with a beer.

You know, that doesn't sound like a bad idea, even if you didn't just run 26 miles.

For Channel 7i Witness News, this is Tim Weigel at Buckingham Fountain in the Lakefront.

Identifier

F.2012-03-1362

Date Of Production

September 25 1977

Abstract

Tim Weigel of WLS-TV reports on Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic running the 1977 Mayor Daley Marathon. This was the first year of what is today called the Chicago Marathon. Bilandic attributes his completion of the race to drinking Chicago's tap water.

Format

16mm

Extent

49 feet

Color

Sound

Mag Stripe

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Inventory Number

Koza 1366

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Element

Color Reversal Intermediate

Genre

News

Form

Unedited

Subject

Marathon running
Chicago (Ill.)

Related Collections

SUBSERIES II: Sports

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago

Distributor

WLS-TV

Participants And Performers

Bilandic, Michael Anthony (is interviewee)

Weigel, Tim (is reporter)

Do you know more about this item?

If you have more information about this item please contact us at info@chicagofilmarchives.org.