Why Patrick Maguire Runs for the Parks
Our runners make it happen! Meet Team ChiParks in our ongoing ‘Why I Run for the Parks’ blog series highlighting members of our 2024 charity team.
The Chicago Parks Foundation has been a proud Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity partner since 2013, as well as the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and the Bank of America Chicago 13.1.
These dedicated runners choose to make their miles extra meaningful by running on behalf of a charity. Since our start, Team ChiParks and their supporters have raised over $1.5 million for the parks - vital park projects, community programming, our citywide volunteer efforts, and more. This is the Chicago Parks Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser!
Meet Patrick Maguire, running his first Chicago Marathon with Team ChiParks!
IS THIS YOUR FIRST MARATHON?
No, but it is my first official race. My first marathon was supposed to be the Big Sur Marathon in April 2020. When it was canceled, I decided to continue training and run my first marathon solo. I ran along the waterfront in Burlington, VT in May 2020 with a small & socially distanced cheer crew. I am looking forward to running again, but this time with a crowd!
WHAT DOES RUNNING THE 2024 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON MEAN TO YOU?
We moved to Chicago from Vermont three years ago. I never thought I’d live in a city, but we’ve fallen in love with Chicago. There are no mountains here, but there is lush green space all over, and I love that I can access water, woods, prairie, and wildlife sanctuaries right outside my front door. Running in one of the world majors is cool in its own right, but I’m looking forward to being able to do it in one of the coolest cities too.
“Free and accessible public green space is so important... It was honestly a no brainer to choose Team ChiParks given how much time I spend in the parks.”
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING ON BEHALF OF TEAM CHIPARKS?
Free and accessible public green space is so important. The Chicago Parks District does a phenomenal job not just maintaining but elevating the city’s expansive park system. It was honestly a no brainer to choose Team ChiParks given how much time I spend in the parks.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CHICAGO’S PARKS?
My wife and I are regulars at Promontory Point and cycle/run/walk the Lakefront Trail in all seasons. We skate on the Midway and Maggie Daley every winter and hit the local beaches and free concerts in the summer. We always take visitors to the local parks - it is virtually a guarantee of a beautiful skyline view, a lake view, public art installations, free events - or all of the above.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TRAINING FOR THE CHICAGO MARATHON?
Training is a great excuse to check out new neighborhoods, particularly on longer runs.
OTHER THAN RUNNING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Cycling and bikepacking, exploring, reading, hanging out with our rambunctious cat.
