Chicago Marathon 2021: Friends, family and Chicagoans cheer on runners in return of the 26.2-mile race. ‘It reminds you of a wider global community that is out there.’

Natalie and Areli Garcia , both in their 20s, were rooting on their brother, Israel, and his girlfriend. Doreen Lew, of Vernon Hills, cheered on her son, Justin, and his fiance, Elizabeth Flores. Casey and Jim Bloomer traveled from New Hampshire to watch their son, Conor, a second-year student at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, run in the marathon.