It's been announced that registration for the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will open on February 1, 2008. This is a few weeks later than in previous years -- according to CBS, a marathon spokesperson claimed it was so that runners didn't have to commit to the race as early as in the past. I would imagine this is mainly in response to the heat related problems from 2007 (speaking of which, make sure you're up on the proper way to run safely. It's important to register early, as the strict limit of 40,000 participants is reached very quickly. The Chicago Marathon draws 1.5 million spectators from all over the world, so it might not hurt to book your hotel reservation early, too.

• What: LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon 2008
• When: October 12, 2008
• Where: The Chicago Marathon starts and ends in Grant Park near the Buckingham Fountain

• Palmer House Hilton Chicago
• W Hotel Chicago City Center
• Hotel Monaco Chicago