Running is probably one of the most popular sports in Chicago.  There are literally hundreds of thousands of casual and competitive runners in the Chicagoland area.  Every weekend from the beginning of spring till the end of fall is filled with a couple of different races going on somewhere in this great city.  There are also a few hardcore races that take place in the winter as well!  And who can forget the great race that is one of the most famous running races in the world: the Chicago Marathon.

The type of injuries that are incurred in a runner really depends on the type of running that is being done.  There is a vast difference in the types of injuries seen between the casual runner, the long distance/marathon runner, the cross-country runner, and the short distance sprinter. 

Some of the most common problems that occur in many runners include:

	Plantar Fascitis (pain at the bottom of the foot)
	Achilles Tendonitis (pain at the back of the foot)
	Shin Splints (pain along the shin bone)
	Iliotibial Band Syndrome (pain along the outside of the knee, thigh or hip)
	Patellar Tendonitis (pain around or behind the knee cap)

Another problem that is quite often overlooked is dehydration.  It is vital that a runner intake enough of the right fluids.