Why Marin Swesey 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 2023 charity team.
The Chicago Parks Foundation has been a proud Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity partner since 2013, as well as the Shamrock Shuffle and the new 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 nearly $1.5 million for the parks - vital park projects, community and teen programming, our citywide volunteer efforts, and more. This is the Chicago Parks Foundation’s biggest fundraiser!
Meet Marin, returning for her second Chicago Marathon this year - and running it with Team ChiParks for the first time!
2023 will be my second Chicago Marathon and (hopefully) third overall after another planned for early summer. Participating again this year after my first in 2022 means a chance to use what I learned and enjoy the incredible spirit of the event again as I try to better myself.
Choosing Team ChiParks was so easy this year after already receiving gracious support and inspiration from friends on the team in the past, including the wonderful Brandy Freeland Kuhl, to get myself to become a proud marathoner.
Chicago parks are gems of essential healthy green spaces, play structures and respites to millions of people around this city. I’m personally found running, strolling, picnicking, swimming, and ice skating through many of them.
My favorite thing about Chicago marathon training is realizing how much easier the miles get, especially when you can enjoy them with friends, and swelling with the sense of camaraderie with so many incredible packs of runners out training too. It’s kind of like camp and the race is the ultimate dance party at the end.
“Chicago parks are gems of essential healthy green spaces, play structures and respites to millions of people around this city.”
Outside of running, I’m a fan of yoga, pilates, dance cardio, hiking and kayaking. I enjoy preparing food, especially with farmers market ingredients in the summer months, and have a happy weakness for ice cream and frozen yogurt. I am a big fan of women’s basketball, Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Sky, in particular. Go Hawks, go Sky and go Team ChiParks!!!
