Let's play guess the event. Here are some hints: It was HOT, about 10,000 people didn't finish, more than 300 people were hospitalized, and one person died. While it may sound like I am describing a volcanic eruption, I am, in fact, describing the Chicago Marathon that took place this weekend.

I was there because my dad was participating in it. The plan was for us to meet at the 20-mile mark, and then together to run to 25-mile mark, so that I could help him keep his pace up.

My sister and I went to our predetermined cheering locations throughout the city. Banking on his time from the year before, we left after certain amounts of time. My sister and I waited at each stop and still never saw my dad. We were concerned that he may have dropped out.

We decided that I would wait at mile 20 until it was obvious that he had dropped out. It turns out that my dad, like many other participants, had a bad race because of the sweltering conditions.

After I ran my dad in, I met my sister and she told me that the race had been cut off early for many reasons. First, so many people had medical issues because of the heat that the organizers ran out of medics. That is a lot of medics. Second, they ran out of water. I don't know if you've ever seen the water stops, but that is a lot of water.

While some complained about the race being shut down, I think it was a good idea. At 11:45 a.m., about four hours after the start, those who had not reached the half-way point, the 13.1 mile mark, were rerouted toward Grant Park. The cutoff, made by the race director, was in an effort to prevent even more injuries.

However, better preparations should have been made. My dad has been telling me for at least two weeks that it was going to be very hot, and those who administered the race should have known that.

All in all, I believe the director of the race made a good decision, and I may have made a decision never to run a marathon.