Why Chicago: Winter Warriors

The Chicago Bears are not the only athletes in town persevering through frigid cold and gusting winds from Lake Michigan.  Chicagoans prolong the inevitable dormancy of winter by continuing weekend soccer matches, flag football games, and daily runs against the wind well into November and December.

During a recent Saturday morning jog along Lake Front Path with members of Team in Training, I was baffled by the number of dedicated athletes ignoring 20 degree weather and high possibility of snow flurries.   The Team in Training volunteer staff even maintained periodic rest stops stocked with bananas and Gatorade.  Not an ideal Saturday morning for most!

Aside from runners and cyclists, the jog also provided a glimpse into soccer leagues organized by collectives like the Players Sports Group.  Outdoor soccer continues until early December before moving indoor for several months, but impromptu games of ice hockey fill the void throughout the winter season.

Capture footage of dedicated “Winter Warriors” and submit the results to Why Chicago.  Winners receive a trip to Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games for more cold weather…just what every Chicagoan desires