Why Laila Geht 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.
Return Team ChiParks runner, Laila Geht, is no stranger to racing!
Laila has run a total of 13 marathons and 39 half marathons! She lives in Chicago's South Loop with husband, Solomon, and 5-year-old son, Charlie. We are thrilled to have her running for the parks once again in 2022.
What does running the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon mean to you?
Running the Chicago Marathon is always so special to me. I love running through my hometown and the amazing feeling of going on a "tour" of the city. It's so fun to see the streets of Chicago full of people cheering the runners on. And I love randomly seeing friends along the way. You can truly feel the energy from the crowd and the runners!
Why are you running the Chicago Marathon on behalf of Team ChiParks?
My family and I spend so much time in our local parks. During COVID there was a real sense of community that formed in the parks in our neighborhood. People came together to have picnics, play, and just hang out. We use the Chicago parks so often that I have been so excited to run with Team ChiParks and help raise funds for the organization.
What is your favorite thing about training for the Chicago Marathon?
I LOVE running on the lakefront path and seeing all the runners out there. It's always fun to see friends on the path but also just to see others out there training for their own races or just running for fun.
Words of wisdom for your fellow runners?
Remember to have fun training and during the race! It's about the journey and training, and running the Chicago Marathon is such a special journey. Looking forward to meeting everyone on the team soon!