Marathoners keeping their distance

Marathon field features stories of courage, curiosity

Finely tuned athletes from Africa, Europe, Asia and beyond will divide up the $650,000 in prize money today at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. But in a field of nearly 40,000 runners, the elite athletes make up only a fraction of the participants.

Each marathoner has a story of determination, resiliency and pride. Some run to compete against others. Some run to challenge themselves. The age divisions range from 16 to 19 to 80 and over.

The Sunday Drive is focusing on three stories that stand out among the thousands. The three are elite athletes for different reasons. They won't be the first to cross the finish line, but if ever a cliche had merit, the one that states every competitor today is a winner rings true.

Bob Richards

AMY WINTERS | a study in courage

Amy Winters, 34, of Meadville, Pa., is a double amputee who has shattered world records in the marathon and triathlon this year.

The Chicago Marathon is a test for me to see if I can run as fast a marathon as I did prior to my accident over 12 years ago, which lead to the amputation of my left leg below the knee. In 1993, I ran the Boston Marathon in a time of 3 hours and 16 minutes.

I am not only trying to do this to prove something to myself, but also to show all people -- able-bodied and disabled -- that there are no limits to what one can do if you put your mind to it. The only limits that we have are the ones we set for ourselves. I also run and compete in marathons and triathlons to set an example for my two children, Carson (3) and Madilynn (1). It is so important to me to teach them that they can live their lives without limitations, just like I am trying to do.

(My team includes) physical therapists Dave Balsley and Phil Kreuter and the prosthetics of A Step Ahead.

RICK ROEBER | it's not the shoes

Rick Roeber, 50, of Lee's Summit, Mo., runs marathons without shoes to avoid injury. He has a Web site, www.barefootrunner.org.

Since Oct. 21, 2003, barefoot running has allowed me the opportunity to run injury-free. In my ''shod'' running days, I was plagued with knee and leg injuries because I ran ''goofy.'' Barefoot running forces proper technique, where my cadence is quicker and I don't overstride, thereby reducing the force of impact. According to a recent impact analysis, I land with about half the force I did with shoes.

The added benefit is that barefoot running is fun. I enjoy feeling the surfaces I run on. Do I ever step on anything uncomfortable? Occasionally. However, my eye/foot coordination has gotten so good that I watch out for the big stuff and don't worry about the other. I run barefoot in all types of weather. I look forward to the 35- to 40-degree projected temps with rain for Chicago. Running through puddles gives me the opportunity to act like a kid.

TIM ROGERS | easy to spot

Tim Rogers, 43, of Chester, England, dresses up for his marathons, wearing a different costume for each one. He does it simply to get more out of life. He established a Web site (www.realbuzz.com) to help others do the same.

I'm running as a medieval knight with all the gear on, although nothing too heavy. I wanted something as British as I could, and this seemed a good subject.

I have run 54 marathons, 20 of them in costume. In London this year, I broke the world record for the tallest and heaviest costume, as a superhero weighing 70 pounds and standing 11 feet tall. Bad memories!

I also have the world record for completing a marathon on all seven continents in the fastest time: 99 days. This is in the current book of world records. I have just had a book published called How to Run a Marathon. My other costumes have included a cottage, computer, igloo, sunflower (I got a stress fracture of the back after that one!), teddy bear, rhino and more.

ENDY CHAVEZ: He'll be sitting home during the World Series, but that catch Thursday was one of the best ever.

OZZIE GUILLEN: With Lou Piniella on the North Side, you won't be scrutinized as closely. Still, we're guessing you won't be absent from headlines.

YADIER MOLINA: He made sure Chavez wasn't going to catch his blast. One of the best catchers in the majors.

MIKE BROWN: Another tough break for the fierce competitor -- and a major challenge for team to pick up the slack.

BRUCE WEBER: Beneath the innuendo about Indiana cheating to get Eric Gordon lies the bottom line that another elite recruit is bypassing Illinois.

LOU PINIELLA: Larry Rothschild? Maybe he's not to blame for the pitching woes, but he's unlucky at the very least.

Next season is going to be an important one for the Cubs, with Lou Piniella in his first season managing the team and GM Jim Hendry's job possibly on the line. The Drive takes a look at Lou's first years managing teams:

YANKEES

1986, 90-72

Great seasons by Dave Righetti, Rickey Henderson and Don Mattingly were wasted. The Yankees finished 5½ games behind the Red Sox after finishing two back of the Blue Jays in 1985.

REDS

1990, 91-71

Inherited a team that finished 12 games under .500 and guided it to a World Series title. The Reds led wire to wire behind the Nasty Boys. Swept the heavily favored A's in the World Series.

MARINERS

1993, 82-80

Guided the Mariners to a big improvement from their 64-98 record the previous season. Still, the White Sox won the division by eight games over the Rangers.

DEVIL RAYS

2003, 63-99

If it weren't for the 119-loss Tigers, Lou would have had the worst team in the majors. Considering the Rays finished 55-106 the previous season, he actually helped the team improve.