Country music singer Jo Dee Messina kicked-off race day festivities in Chicago on Sunday, October 7th singing the national anthem at the start line prior to the 30th Annual Chicago Marathon to what appeared to be a beautiful day. Messina finished in five hours and 45 minutes. Organizers closed the race course to runners who had not reached the midway point almost four hours after it began with temperatures as high as 88 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the race's Web site.

Follow up:

"It was definitely one of my harder runs,” says Messina. “The heat was intense in some parts of the race. I kept telling myself 'this is no harder than my training runs' over the summer. Thanks to a spectator with water, I was able to stay hydrated, rationing a bottle of water for the last eight miles of the run. Not my goal finishing time, but, I'm still very proud of myself for finishing.”

Lack of water along the course combined with high temperatures had police and race officials urging people to stop running and walk the remainder of the race.

Messina is relieved and proud that she completed the race despite the conditions. Be sure to visit www.jodeemessina.com for additional information on her upcoming release and complete tour schedule