Sneaky Nike ads under foot in Chicago

Last Friday, Nike slapped down a few ads right on top of Chicago's beloved lakefront recreational path to launch the start of a 17-week marathon training program in anticipation of Chicago's marathon this Fall. (Just an aside, I hope race officials are stocking up on water for the big race this October after last year's Chicago Marathon water controversy.)

According to Julie's Health Blog, Nike stuck 10 decals down in the middle of the bike lanes just a few seconds apart from one another for the typical runner cruising by. With slogans such as "You're beautiful when you're sweating" and "Forget the wind, run like a freight train," the ads were allegedly placed without permission. It's reported they have an extremely short life span, about three days, and would have been removed with a complaint from the city. No word yet on the Chicago Park District's response to the ads, says Julie.

With or without permission, slap-down ads bug me. The last place I'd want to step on a fun decal is during a glorious run along Chicago's spellbinding lakefront. As one commenter pointed out, beyond the marketing intrusion, are the ads slippery when wet? Could they trigger a rubbernecking crash? I detest the concept of temporary corporate slap-down ads on recreational paths, even for a fitness training program.