If you were in downtown Chicago on October 12, you probably felt the energy in the air — the rush of runners, the cheers and high-fives, and volunteers working hard to keep everything moving. Among them was a dedicated team from The Soma Institute. As the only massage therapy school volunteering at the Chicago Marathon, they showed up in force with 160 students, faculty, and graduates lending their skills to support thousands of athletes at one of the world’s most celebrated races.
A Unique Role in a World-Class Event
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon isn’t just another race — it’s a global event that attracts tens of thousands of runners from all over the world. Behind the scenes, it takes an army of volunteers and medical professionals to make sure participants are cared for before, during, and after the 26.2-mile journey.
That’s where Soma comes in. Over the years, the school has built a one-of-a-kind partnership with the marathon, making them the only massage therapy school providing sports massage to runners.¹ This is no casual commitment — it’s an integrated role in the official medical team, right alongside doctors, nurses, athletic trainers, podiatrists, and physical therapists.
Soma’s Program Director, Michael Hovi, served as the Medical Massage Therapy Coordinator for the event, ensuring that all 160 Soma volunteers were organized, prepared, and ready to deliver care when runners needed it most.
What Soma Volunteers Do on Race Day
Marathon day is long and intense, both for runners and for those supporting them. Soma’s student and graduate volunteers step into roles that demand technical skill, stamina, and compassion.
Here’s how they contribute throughout the day:
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- Pre-race preparation: Before runners even hit the starting line, therapists evaluate muscle tightness, apply targeted techniques, and help athletes warm up to prevent injuries.²
- Post-race recovery: After 26.2 miles, many runners need immediate relief. Soma volunteers provide massage that reduces soreness, promotes circulation, and helps athletes walk away from the finish line with more comfort.
- Injury triage and referral: With training in anatomy and assessment skills, massage therapists can recognize when a runner needs more advanced care, flagging doctors or trainers to step in.
- Collaboration with the medical team: Soma volunteers aren’t working in isolation. Medical professionals frequently call on them during the race, recognizing the important role massage therapy plays in athlete care.
- High-volume treatment: The demand is enormous. In one recent marathon, Soma volunteers provided 591 massages in a single day.³
This isn’t just practice; it’s real-world sports massage, applied in a high-pressure, high-impact environment.
Why This Matters for Students and Grads
For Soma’s volunteers, the marathon is more than just another event. It’s an opportunity to put classroom learning to the test in front of real athletes with very real needs.
Students and graduates walk away from the experience with:
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- Confidence: Many describe the marathon as the moment they realize, “I can truly help people.”¹
- Adaptability: Every runner presents a unique challenge, from cramped calves to aching hamstrings. Volunteers must think on their feet, choosing the right techniques in the moment.
- Endurance: Just like the athletes, Soma’s massage therapists need stamina to keep working for hours, often from early morning until the last runner has crossed the finish line.
- Teamwork: Being part of a medical team teaches volunteers to collaborate, communicate, and respect the expertise of other professionals.
- Compassionate care under pressure: Runners often arrive on the table completely drained. Soma therapists learn to bring not only physical relief but also calm reassurance.
These lessons don’t just stay at the marathon. They ripple outward into the graduates’ careers, whether they go on to work in sports settings, private practice, hospitals, or even with professional athletic teams.
Community Impact Beyond the Finish Line
Soma’s role at the marathon isn’t just about student training. It’s also about giving back. As a Chicago-based school, volunteering at one of the city’s biggest global events is a way to connect to the community, showcase the value of massage therapy, and be part of something that brings the entire city together.
The marathon is about perseverance, unity, and human achievement. Soma’s volunteers add a layer of care and compassion to that story, helping ensure runners can celebrate their hard work with less pain and quicker recovery.
Program Connection: Where Training Meets Opportunity
The Soma Institute is one of the only schools in the U.S. to offer a diploma in Clinical Massage Therapy, a 9 or 11 month* program designed to blend science, assessment skills, technique, and hands-on training. Students can even earn a Sports Massage Certificate of Achievement, making them especially well-prepared for events like the marathon.
This isn’t theory alone. Soma’s educational philosophy is built on bridging classroom knowledge with real-world experience. Volunteering at the marathon embodies that approach perfectly. Students don’t just learn about therapeutic massage in textbooks; they see its impact firsthand on athletes who are pushing their bodies to the limit.
Career Pathways Built on Experience
The marathon experience becomes a powerful credential for Soma graduates, opening doors to careers such as:
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- Massage therapist for professional sports teams
- Specialist at athletic events like marathons and triathlons
- Practitioner in sports medicine or rehabilitation clinics
- Private practice focusing on active clients and injury prevention
When graduates can say they’ve worked as part of the Chicago Marathon’s official medical team, it sets them apart in the field.
A Win for Everyone
The Chicago Marathon is a celebration of endurance, community, and care. Soma’s involvement makes it a win for every group involved:
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- Runners receive essential recovery support.
- Students and graduates gain real-world experience and confidence.
- Soma strengthens its mission of hands-on education and community engagement.
- Chicago itself benefits from having a local institution committed to enhancing one of its most iconic events.
Learn More
The story of The Soma Institute at the Chicago Marathon is just one example of how massage therapy education goes beyond the classroom. By stepping up for their community, Soma’s students, faculty, and graduates demonstrated the heart of what clinical massage therapy can achieve: real impact, real care, and real-world experience.
If you’re curious about how Soma prepares students for careers in massage therapy — from the classroom to city-wide events like the Chicago Marathon — learn more about The Soma Institute’s Clinical Massage Therapy Program here.
Footnotes
- The Chicago Marathon: Where Confidence Grows – Soma Institute
- The Chicago Marathon 2024: How Sports Massage Therapy Helps Runners – Soma Institute
- Soma Massages Chicago Marathon – Soma Institute
* When completed in normal time