But Wanjiru wasn’t the only winner this weekend. So was the city of Chicago.

Due to its national and international draw, the marathon helped raise $10 million for various charities and gave a $150 million boost to the economy of its host city, according to a report by the University of Illinois at Urban-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory.

Approximately 10,000 of the 45,000 marathon participants are raising money for more than 150 nonprofit organizations. These organizations include local, national and global causes.

At the opening press conference Thursday, Bank of America announced a $500,000 contribution to the Chicago Youth Fitness Initiative, a fitness program located throughout the city aimed at keeping kids safe and active after school.

The bank also announced The Mayor Richard M. Daley and Maggie Daley Award, given annually to the marathon participant who raises the most funds for charity through the marathon.

“Bank of America is pleased to build upon Mayor Daley’s and his wife Maggie’s commitment to Chicago’s youth, and we thank them for their partnership in this and so many activities,” said Bank of America Chief Executive Officer Brian T. Moynihan.  “Through our everyday lending, investing and giving, we are helping set opportunity in motion across this great city.”

This contribution adds to the $324,000 donation Bank of America made to the initiative in March.

“I particularly appreciate what Bank of America has built with the Chicago Youth Fitness Initiative,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “This program provides innovative and constructive ways to improve the quality of life for our city’s young people and future leaders.”

Daley added, “In my two decades in office, I have watched the marathon continue to contribute in a positive way to this city — both in economic growth and support for the nonprofit sector.”

This year’s event drew participants from all 50 states and over 120 countries. The 45,000 participant capacity was filled in a record 51 days.

In addition to those running for charity and other causes, the marathon also attracted some of the best runners in the world.

“The depth of talent in the marathon was at an all-time high at the national and international levels,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “These athletes were hungry to compete against one another and this year’s field brought a new level of excitement to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.”

However, this doesn’t mean the strenuous course didn’t have a negative effect on the world’s elite.

“I’m not sure if I’ll compete next month at the New York City Marathon,” said men’s second place finisher Tsegaye Kebede. “I’m a little tired.”

Since mid-summer, eight city teams, made up of CHA 13- to 15-year-old boys and girls, competed for a spot in the Windy City Sluggers League playoffs. Qualifying from the South Division were teams from Carver Park and Taylor Park, while Seward Park and Altgeld Park represented the North Division.

On August 9, the evening kicked off with Carver handily defeating Altgeld in a playoff game that ended 10-5, while Seward eked by Taylor with a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 10^th inning.  The final score was 9-8.

In the end, Seward emerged victorious against Carver with a final score of 10-5 in the championship game.  Altgeld and Taylor placed third and fourth, respectively in a consolation match.

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In its first ever season for co-ed softball, the Chicago Housing Authority has made the playoffs.

On Thursday, three teams will compete in the playoffs, and two in a championship game at Washington Park (fields 6 and 7) located at 5531 S. King Drive.

Since mid-summer, the eight teams, split amongst a North and South division, have competed for a spot in the playoffs and championship game. Now it is down to the four teams with the best records from each division. These teams will compete Thursday, Aug. 5 in a divisional championship game.  The two winning teams will then compete for the League trophy and bragging rights. The two other teams will compete for third and fourth place and all players in the playoffs will receive a medal for their participation.

Sponsored by CHA, Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) and the Chicago Park District all eight teams are made up of 13- to 15-year-old boys and girls and are coached by park district staff and CHA residents.

In addition to the Windy City Sluggers League, CHA in partnership with the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, various companies and philanthropies has provided more than 5,000 vocational, recreational and educational opportunities for young people this summer.

WHAT:         Summer League Playoff and Championship Games
WHO: 120 teenage players
WHEN:         Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010; 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE:       Washington Park Fields 6 and 7 (5531 S. King Drive)