The steady beat of feet hitting pavement and the encouraging cheers of spectators once again filled Chicago's streets Sunday for the 46th annual Chicago Marathon. Roughly 50,000 runners were registered to run the race, one of the world's six major marathons.Supporters cheered on the runners along the 26.2-mile course that weaves through 29 neighborhoods on Chicago's North, West and South sides. Chicago's flat course is also known for breaking records. Sunday was no different as Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich won the marathon with an official time of 2:09:56, becoming the first woman in history to run under 2:10.Runners told the Sun-Times the energy along the course was high thanks to the constant cheers and the city's captivating views. Aid stations throughout the course supplied 12,000 pounds of bananas and tens of thousands of gallons of Gatorade and water. Ruth Chepngetich, you are the Women’s World Record Holder! pic.twitter.com/bkwlfamrvN— Chicago Marathon (@ChiMarathon) October 13, 2024 Among the athletes taking part Sunday morning was Batbayar Tserendorj from north suburban Round Lake Beach. He was running his second Chicago Marathon.Last year, the night before he was to run his first marathon in Chicago, Tserendorj got a call he'd been waiting months for. Earlier that year in March, he was diagnosed with liver cancer. Doctors did what they could to stop the tumors from growing, but nothing had worked. His best chance was a liver transplant. 🇺🇸 Congratulations to our top Americans, CJ Albertson and Susanna Sullivan! Both placed seventh in their fields overall. An amazing day to represent the USA! pic.twitter.com/zT6gMk6vVc— Chicago Marathon (@ChiMarathon) October 13, 2024 "So then I had to wait," Tserendorj said. "Your dreams are turned upside down when you learn you have cancer."To cope with his diagnosis, the then 60-year-old turned to training for the marathon. Batbayar Tserendorj completed his second Chicago Marathon on Sunday. Last year, he postponed liver transplant surgery to run his first marathon.Northwestern Medicine Media Relations "I needed to be strong and occupy myself, not just by reading books or watching TV, but something physical that I can challenge myself with," he said.His doctors gave their OK, telling him "don't push, just listen to your body."Then, hours before the 2023 Chicago Marathon, his doctors at Northwestern Medicine called to tell him a new liver was ready; he had to go to the hospital immediately.Tserendorj was torn. His wife and his son told him to go right away. But Tserendorj, a devoted runner, had been training so hard. Runners dash along State Street. Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times "I felt good, I wasn't in pain, and I had trained all summer," he said. "I asked my doctors if I can pass the liver on to someone else. If the organ will be wasted, I will go."His doctors assured him another patient would get the liver. The next day, he completed his first marathon. And 19 days later, on Oct. 27, he got his new liver. On Sunday, he once again crossed the finish line of the Chicago Marathon. "I'm dedicating my running to all organ donors," Tserendorj said. He tells everyone he knows to be an organ donor, calling it "a second chance at a new life." The 26.2-mile course takes in the Loop and the North, South and West sides of the city.Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times Will run for doughnuts In Little Italy around the 19th mile marker, music pulsed to keep the runners' energy high. Spectators rang cowbells, whooped and held signs with clever sayings or photos of their loved ones. Related Chicago Marathon to give city a hefty economic boost, record number of runners Chicago Marathon and United Center ditch plastic water bottles with help from Rosemont company Gisselle Izaguirre, 19, came to watch the marathon from Plainfield. She stood along the course with three dozen glazed Dunkin' donuts, offering the runners a much-needed sugar rush. Most passed by without a second look at the treats, but some runners stopped to grab some.“I just thought it would be a fun way for the runners to enjoy the marathon, not take it too seriously,” Izaguirre said.Izaguirre, a runner herself, has completed a half marathon and hopes to run the Chicago Marathon soon, she said.“It’s definitely really inspiring to see people get up and run 26 miles for fun,” she said. “It’s definitely motivating.” Gisselle Izaquirre, 19, of Plainfield hands out Dunkin donuts to runners along the Chicago Marathon course in Little ltaly.Mary Norkol/Sun-Times ‘Chicago is the best in the U.S.’ At the finish line in Grant Park, the streets teemed with people, including runners draped with shiny silver blankets and purple finisher medals. Spectators, carrying bouquets of flowers and bananas, craned their necks looking for their runners.Neil Garrett, 46, sat on the grass icing his calves shortly after crossing the finish line. He took selfies in his finisher blanket but described his mood during the run as “shattered” and “disappointed.”He ran the Chicago Marathon last year and has run the London Marathon twice in his home country.He had battled a migraine and jet lag to cross the finish line. But the support of his 18-year-old daughter, the crowd's energy and the Chicago views helped him complete the race. “I had my support system telling me I had to finish,” he said.Tatiana Moritz, 48, and Cesar Moritz, 51, made the trip from southern Brazil to run their first Chicago Marathon. The couple has run multiple marathons, including another one of the six majors, the Berlin Marathon.“I like Berlin and Chicago, they’re both great cities,” Cesar Moritz said. “But Chicago was more exciting — the crowd, the music. We know a lot of cities, but Chicago is the best in the U.S.”Both described Chicago as having “good vibrations” and said the music and humor along the route kept them going. And as for the rest of the day, their plans are simple.“Celebrate and drink a lot,” Moritz said, lifting his Goose Island 312 beer in a toast to his wife. Related Ruth Chepngetich breaks world record at 2024 Chicago Marathon, John Korir wins men’s race Chicago Marathon to give city a hefty economic boost, record number of runners Runners on the 18th Street Bridge in Pilsen.Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times Marathoners on Columbus Drive. Runners praised the good vibrations, celebratory atmosphere, fan enthusiasm and the views of the lake and skyline.Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times Volunteers offer runners water and Gatorade.Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times Marathoners on State Street.Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times