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.

Kicking us off for 2022 is first-time Team ChiParks runner, Ben Colling!

Originally from Rochester, NY, Ben and his family moved to Wheaton in 2020. The 2022 Chicago Marathon will be Ben’s first marathon and we’re thrilled he has chosen to run it for the parks.

Meet Ben -

I have been a Track and Field athlete since middle school and began to focus on long-distance running in 2014. My first race was a 5K at the Rock ‘n’ Roll run in San Jose. I fell in love with the camaraderie of the sport and the mindset that, at the end of the day, you are competing only against yourself.

My wife and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year. We have two sons and a daughter. My family is truly my greatest inspiration for running. We also have somewhere between 3 and 10 fish at any given moment, depending on their health!

By profession, I am a Sales Development Director for a software startup. I enjoy NFL football (Go Bears! And Tom Brady!) playing tennis, and, of course, long walks on the beach at sunset. 

Is this your first Marathon?

The 2022 Chicago Marathon will be my first marathon! My longest distance completed is 11.5 miles - I had fractured my pinky toe by then or I would have completed a half marathon. My longest race to date was 15K at 8:46/mi (what up Hot Chocolate Run San Francisco!).

Like many, I gained just the tiniest amount of weight in 2020. At one point, my oldest son asked me why I don’t run anymore. From that moment, I decided to accomplish one of my bucket list goals this year - running the Chicago Marathon!

What does running the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon mean to you?

Running this year’s marathon is about modeling a healthy and active lifestyle for my children. I want to inspire them to choose goals that are bigger than today, and not be afraid to take small steps over time to achieve something great. A marathon models this in itself as runners start out with a goal of 26.2 miles, but can only run the mile they are in!

Why are you running the Chicago Marathon on behalf of Team ChiParks?

I chose to run on behalf of Team ChiParks because I have always loved urban parks. They are part of a beautiful partnership between nature’s creation and the largest of human creations. I am always inspired by the ability we have to come together to innovate, build and make improvements to daily life, and parks are often at the center of building that community. 

What do you love most about Chicago parks? How do you use them in your life?

I love the art exhibited in Chicago's parks the most. Within the beautiful preserved areas, the artwork and monuments add a unique element of Chicago's history and culture. My favorites are probably a bit obvious between the Buckingham Memorial Fountain and the Bean, but I also enjoy happening upon less recognizable displays and learning about their history and creation, like the wonderfully named "Ben" in Seneca Park.

How do I use them in my life? When I moved to Illinois, Chicago’s parks were one of the few places my coworkers and I could meet in person to build camaraderie and get to know each other off Zoom. Every time my family and I take a day-trip into the city, we always take advantage of one of the parks - from the Zoo, to the lakefront and Oz Park. I am also looking forward to getting to know Chicago's parks better as I use them during training!

What is your favorite thing about training for the Chicago Marathon?

My favorite thing about training for the marathon is the justification to purchase new shoes. Kidding! It really has been the creation and growth of relationships along the way. I often share updates and motivation with my family and friends. I have also partnered with an incredible nutritionist and an amazing run coach. I am looking forward to getting to know our Team ChiParks teammates, too!

Share a bit about your training habits.

As for my training rituals - I love to start by getting my gear on while listening to NF’s Green Lights. I usually eat a Picky Bar (Need for Seed!) and favor AudioBooks over music during the run (but only when I’m on a treadmill or indoor track, otherwise I just listen to the sounds around town). I love everything Zensah makes and plan on running the marathon in their Chicago Flag compression socks. I run almost exclusively in Nike’s Pegasus 36’s, I am on my 9th pair in 3 years! To prepare mentally for the marathon, I am watching one youtube video each week from someone who logged their Chicago Marathon experience online, and each Friday I watch Breaking2 for motivation! *Spoiler Alert* My favorite line in the documentary is after Kipchoge is asked if this means that human beings have limits. He responds, “I don’t agree with that.” 

Anything is possible, let’s do this! 

Well said, Ben - let’s do this!