-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Registration at 25,000 -- 40,000 Cap expected to close by end of August
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 12:04:53 -0500
From: LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
NEWS RELEASE
Registered Participants Reach 25,000 at a Record Pace
The 40,000 cap expected to be reached by end of August ? Register Now!
Chicago (July 17, 2003)?Registration for 2003 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
is approaching the 40,000 cap at a rapid pace. To date, more than 25,000
runners have signed up to run the 26.2-mile race that takes place on
Sunday, October 12. The cap was increased this year to 40,000 from 37,500.
Registration will close on Sept. 5 or when the registration cap is reached,
which is expected by the end of August.
"We are reaching our registration cap at a record pace this year and I
fully expect that we will reach the 40,000 cap as anticipated," stated
Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "If you plan on participating
this year, you have to make your decision relatively soon and register."
Participation in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has increased
dramatically since 1996 when only 10,925 registered. The 2003 marathon has
the potential to be largest marathon ever to take place. Pinkowski attests
the record participation to the growing popularity of running and the fact
that the Chicago race has become engrained into the fabric of Chicago and
its sports scene.
"Running and marathoning have truly been recognized as part of the Chicago
sports profile. With a focus on healthy lifestyles and with the extremely
talented elite athletes who have produced epic performances in the Chicago
Marathon, the sport has become tremendously popular."
New to this year's race are competitive and preferred start positions for
those who meet certain qualifying times based on completion of a marathon
or half-marathon since Jan. 1, 2001. Qualifying times for the 2,500
competitive start positions are 3:15:00 or less in a full marathon and
1:30:00 or less in a half-marathon. For the 5,500 preferred start
positions, the qualifying times are 3:45:00 in a marathon and 1:45:00 in a
half-marathon.
The competitive and preferred start positions are staged closer in
proximity to the start line and are offered based on registration date and
valid proof received. Less than 1,000 positions remain for the competitive
start and 2,500 for the preferred start.
The marathon is open to all runners who can complete the course in less
than six hours. For information, call 1-888-243-3344 (U.S. and Canada) or
(312) 904-9800. Registration is $80 ($90 for international participants)
and can be completed online at www.chicagomarathon.com.
Elite athletes will compete this fall for the highest marathon purse ever,
$550,000. The male and female winners each will earn $100,000, the largest
first place payout in the sport. The 2003 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
begins Sunday, October 12 at 8 a.m., starting and finishing in Chicago's
Grant Park and is expected to draw up to the increased registration cap of
40,000 participants. CBS 2 CHICAGO is the official broadcast partner of
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and will cover the race live from 7:30
a.m. to 11 a.m. race day.
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