A “Love Island” winner will be putting his love of running to use in this year’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon, one of several big names to toe the starting line in this year’s race.
Bryan Arenales, the winner of season seven of the hit reality show “Love Island USA,” spoke about his passion for running from the moment he was introduced on the show. Now, he’ll be attempting to run his first Abbott World Marathon Major as he races in Chicago for Mercy Home Heroes.
But he’s far from the only familiar face join the lineup of runners in Chicago this October.
Former NFL player Justin Britt, who played for the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans before retiring in 2022, will also run his first marathon. He’ll be doing it alongside another former NFLer, Otis Hudson, a retired guard who previously played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs.
Another former professional athlete, soccer player Heather O’Reilly, who played for the U.S. Women’s National Team as a midfielder, will toe the line in this year’s race — setting a goal of breaking the four-hour mark in Chicago.
Chicago chefs and owners of the popular Avondale bakery Loaf Lounge, which grew its stardom when it was featured in the hit show “The Bear,” will also be among this year’s runners, taking on the challenge on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association. The cause is particularly special to the couple as Mispagel lost her mom to early-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 25. Now, she runs to honor her mom, who was always an avid runner.
While the notable names stand out amongst the thousands of runners in the fall Chicago race, the inspiring stories of why many will embark on this challenge do too.
Organizers highlighted stories from runners who are honoring memories of lost loved ones, inspiring younger generations, empowering women, continuing a tradition decades in the making, celebrating milestones, beating the odds and racing for cures.
Runners can represent an official race charity and secure a spot in the marathon by fundraising a specified amount.
According to organizers, runners raised $36 million for local, national and global nonprofits in 2024, marking the highest fundraising total in the event’s history.
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon returns on Oct. 12, “for the 47th running of one of the world’s most iconic road races.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
