Inside Charles Hicks' Chicago Marathon Prep | "Mileage Is Everything"

Charles Hicks has been second American twice. In Chicago, he wants to be first.

Ahead of the 2026 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 11, we joined the 2:04:35 marathoner for a 10-mile grind in the heat: a long six-mile loop, a shorter and more painful three-mile loop, and one fast mile to close. Charles opens up about why mileage now comes first in his training, why every major feels like a debut, and how he blends data with the art of running alongside coach Jerry Schumacher.

WORKOUT SUMMARY
6 miles: 28:54 total, 4:49/mi avg
Splits: 4:49, 4:49, 4:48, 4:47, 4:49, 4:48
~4:00 rest
3 miles: ~14:08 total, ~4:44/mi avg
Splits: ~4:41, 4:44, 4:46
~2:00 rest
Final mile: 1.01 mi in 4:35, 4:31/mi pace

Full workout: 10.18 mi, 49:44 moving time, 4:53/mi avg

Average HR: 184 bpm
Progression: 6 @ 4:49 → 3 @ 4:44 → 1 @ 4:31

Chicago will complete his set of American majors after New York and Boston.

Chapters
0:00 Chasing first American
0:30 Today's workout: 6 + 3 + 1
1:15 Rethinking the marathon build
2:00 Why mileage is everything
2:45 Racing Chicago for the first time
3:30 Data vs. art in running

🎥 Presented in partnership with Suunto. Check out the Suunto Run 2 and their latest assortment of watches here: suunto.pxf.io/7XBXMA

🎧 Catch Charles' full interview on The CITIUS MAG Podcast here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/charles-hicks-on-his-biggest-marathon-build-yet-what/id1204506559

📩 Get The CITIUS MAG newsletter: citiusmag.substack.com