CELEBRATE THE RUN - DAY 6 - MILE 22: Chinatown Chamber of Commerce on the Importance of the Cheering Extravaganza in Chinatown and the Value the Chicago Marathon Brings to the Neighborhood

CELEBRATE THE RUN - DAY 5 - MILE 22 tells the story of one of the most exciting neighborhoods on the Chicago Marathon course: Chinatown. Runners and spectators enter Chinatown through the Chinatown Gate situated at the pivotal mile 22.

Visitors are greeted by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce’s cheering spectacle, which includes traditional Chinese music and lion-costumed dancers, drums, and cowbells. Chicago’s Chinatown is the largest in the Midwest with 8,000 residents and 58 restaurants co-existing in a 10-block radius. The symbolic red color is painted on the gate as they enter—in Chinese culture, red symbolizes good luck.

We spoke to the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce chairman of the board Mabel Moy and Chinatown special events coordinator Gene Lee about the importance of the cheering extravaganza in Chinatown put on by the Chicago Dragon’s Athletic Association and the value the Chicago Marathon brings to the neighborhood.

What is your role with the Chinatown community?

MM: I am the Chairman of the Board at the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. I was the president for the past two years, so, just starting in July.

Why is it so important for Chinatown to support the runners and the Chicago Marathon and have such a large expression?

GL: We have a great relationship with the marathon, the city of Chicago, and the department of cultural affairs. These relationships help us promote our community. Our business community. Our culture. Our restaurants. People come down here to eat on Marathon Sunday. People come back when they have more time because the marathon introduced them to something they might not have stumbled upon. We can’t afford to advertise it to that magnitude otherwise.

MM: It’s a symbol of Chinatown. When people pass by, we represent Chinatown, its culture, and its people. They like the energy. Instead of just cars on the side of the road, we have people.

Why do you think runners look forward to this section of the course?

GL: They know they're getting near the end. That's why the lions welcome them. Instead of just our drums, we have a full sound system magnified. It provides music and energy for the runners. It takes their mind off of it. 

MM: Once they reach Chinatown, the finish line is only four miles away. It's a good place to get that last boost of energy.

What value does the Chicago Marathon bring to Chinatown?

GL: It brings business during the marathon. It brings people back after the marathon. They’ll say “I smelled some roast duck, I’ve got to have some of that” and they’ll come back when they have more time.

The costumes. Are they lions, or are they dragons?

MM: In Chinese culture, they are lions. In Chinese culture, there's the Northern lion and the Southern lion. These lions kind of represent the Southern lion.

Do they represent something?

MM: The lions are typical decorations at happy occasions. Big events. Celebrations. They carry out the evils.

GL: The lions bring health, happiness, and prosperity.

What does the color red symbolize?

MM: Cheerful. In Chinese, it means good luck.

What is your favorite part of the marathon?

GL: Just the fact that we put on a successful event in partnership with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

MM: I like to see the people when they run by. I clap my hands and cheer them on. My daughter used to run the marathon and I have had two brothers run.

What goes into organizing your cheer station?

GL: We bring out people to help cheer. Mabel has community groups to come and dance and cheer. I'm more on the operations side. We set up with metal barricades. Carey Pinkowski drops off barricades at like five in the morning. We control this corner Crowds tend to. We handle crowd control and media interviews. We tear down around four o'clock. It's a long day. But, it’s just really gratifying to see the thousands of people cheer on their runner.

What does success look like for you?

GL: It looks like a massive humanity of runners coming together. People in the street. Massive, massive crowds.