Chicago Marathon 2012 preview: 35th running boasts deep field

The 35th running of the Chicago Marathon is scheduled to begin the morning of Sunday, Oct. 7 in the Windy City. A 10 percent chance of rain won't be enough to spoil the race for a field organizers are calling one of the deepest ever.

The field was bolstered with the announcement that two Ethiopians, men's 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist Tsegaye Kebed and female countrywoman Werknesh Kidane, who won silver at the 2003 world championships, will run. Kebede and Kidane join previously announced Wesley Korir of Kenya, last year's runner-up, and winner of the 2012 Boston Marathon. Executive race director Carey Pinkowski thinks this will be an amazing field, and a race to watch.

"The men's field is the deepest we've ever had in Chicago, and I think it will take a career performance to win on Oct. 7," she said.

Last year it was Kenyan Moses Mosop who turned in a career performance, setting a race record of 2:05:37.

The American contingent is headlined by three-time Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein, who will be joined in the men's competition by Notre Dame All-American Patrick Smyth. The top female competitor for the United States will be Renee Metivier Baille, 20k champion and 11-time All-American who is making her marathon debut.

2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Schedule

Date: Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012

Location: Grant Park, Columbus Dr. & Monroe St

Start times

7:20 a.m. Marathon wheelchair start

7:21 a.m. Marathon hand-cycle start

7:30 a.m. Wave one start

8:00 a.m.Wave two start

8:30 a.m. Spectator access to Grant Park opens

TV: NBC 5 Chicago will be broadcasting the race live, and will be streaming on nbcchicago.com

Radio: '670 The Score' locally in Chicago