Why Anna Behm Runs for the Parks
Meet the runners of our Team ChiParks charity team in our ongoing ‘Why I Run for the Parks’ series!
The Chicago Parks Foundation has been a proud Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity partner since 2013, and this year we’re excited to also add the new Chicago 13.1 half marathon to our roster on Chicago’s West Side.
These dedicated runners choose to make their miles extra meaningful by running on behalf of a charity. In the last eight years, Team ChiParks and their supporters have raised nearly $1 million for the parks - vital park projects, community and teen programming, our citywide volunteer efforts, and more.
Meet Anna, running her 9th marathon this year!
Anna completed her first marathons in Chicago in 2015 and 2016. Since then, she’s run all over the world - Athens (2016), Los Angeles (2018), Berlin (2018), Twin Cities (2019), London (2021), and Nashville (2022). Anna loves exploring Chicago’s incredible park system for running and beyond, and you can feel the park enthusiasm in her choice to run 2022 for Team ChiParks!
“I love the parks! They make being a runner in the city possible. ”
What does running the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon mean to you?
I live in Chicago and I love running here. Being a part of a big, world class running event in my home city is such a special experience. The crowds are phenomenal. And I have friends and family here, so I can usually get a few of them to come out to cheer. Chicago was my first marathon, so it has an extra special place in my heart.
Why are you running the Chicago Marathon on behalf of Team ChiParks?
I love the parks! They make being a runner in the city possible. Also, they benefit everyone and make the city a beautiful place to be. I truly believe that access to public green spaces is vital to the wellbeing of communities. It’s certainly been valuable for my health. Having access to public parks and pathways was especially important to me during the pandemic. Running is important for my mental health, and the parks provided me safe spaces to run throughout lockdown. I wanted to give something back to my community, and running the marathon for Team ChiParks seemed like a great way to do that.
What do you love most about Chicago parks and how do you use them in your life?
How could I pick just one thing?! I love green spaces and being outdoors. I love the history of the parks and the roles they’ve played in the city. I love the sheer size of the park system - there are over 600 parks in Chicago! I love that they are for everyone - a true public good.
I use the parks to run (of course!). To meet with friends. To be outdoors and around trees and greenery. I also love using them to explore different parts of the city. I recently went on a run to Palmisano Park in Bridgeport. The park used to be a quarry and now includes nature trails, a pond, and a hill with a skyline view. I had never been there before but wanted to check it out. It was a really hot day, so I got there really early and watched the sunrise from the top of the hill. There were already so many people out enjoying the park early in the morning. I ran through the surrounding neighborhoods and ended up finding the geographic midpoint of the city! It was a lovely morning, and I can help but think it was made possible because of the parks :)
What is your favorite thing about training for the Chicago Marathon?
Marathon training is a great excuse to explore more of the city (and its parks) on long runs. I also love the structure that a marathon training plan gives my running, and the accomplishment of building on my training week after week. I love looking forward to race day, and the feeling of crossing that finish line.
