Total Shots taken	397
Number of 5 star ratings (5* yield %)	33  (8.3 %)

So says the back of the athletic shirt of Chicago’s most famous disabled marathoner, U. S. Representative Tammy Duckworth, who competed in her fourth Chicago marathon this year.  I take my hat off to her, and the other athletes who competed in the marathon, and especially those using wheelchairs.

It seemed to me that there were a lot this year, and I was glad to be there to photograph them.  I was at the 24 mile mark – at this point many competitors see the light at the end of the tunnel, knowing they have just 2.2 miles left.  You can see it on their faces – some smiling, others with dogged determination, still others, wearied, even stopping to rest, but not yet done.  It was all there for the eye to see.  Hope you enjoy these 5* images taken race-side while I cheered for the athletes.

Note:   According to Keri Serota of the Chicago Marathon team, there were approximately 60 wheelchair athletes (push rim), 5 Duo Teams and over 100 ambulatory athletes with disabilities and guides participating in the 2016 marathon.