WORLD'S FASTEST MARATHONER RETURNING TO CHICAGO World Record Holder Khalid Khannouchi To Run The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Chicago (June 17, 2002) Khalid Khannouchi, the fastest man ever to run a marathon, has committed to his fifth LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, announced today by Carey Pinkowski, executive race director. Khannouchi holds the World Record, the American Record and is a three-time champion on Chicago’s fast course. Sunday, October 13 marks the 25th Anniversary of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. "Khalid Khannouchi continues to set a standard of success in the sport of marathoning that is almost beyond comprehension," said Pinkowski. "We are extremely pleased with his decision to compete in Chicago this fall. The excitement and anticipation going into this year's race is already building intensely." Khannouchi's three record-setting Chicago performances have made his name synonymous with The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. His unmatched marathon success started with his 1997 debut victory in Chicago in 2:07:10. At the time it was the fastest marathon debut ever. In 1998 Khannouchi placed second in Chicago but came back to set a then World Record of 2:05:42 at The 1999 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. After becoming an American citizen in May of 2000, Khannouchi set a then American marathon record of 2:07:01 with his third Chicago victory in the fall of 2000. "After a year of being absent, I am delighted to come back to The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and to the course that I love and enjoy very much," remarked Khannouchi. "I am very happy to go back to the city I consider my home away from home, the city where I was born a marathon runner and back to the people who have supported me through good times and bad. I hope to provide Chicago with another great performance this fall." This year Khannouchi overcame one of the strongest fields ever assembled to lower his own World Record in a victory at the London Marathon in 2:05:38. The dramatic race included Khannouchi passing two of the greatest distance runners ever ? Paul Tergat and Haile Gebresalassie ? in the final two miles. Khannouchi’s London victory was also a redemption of sorts. He finished third in the 2000 London Marathon in 2:08:36, missed the 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with injuries and dropped out of the 2001 World Championships Marathon due to severe foot blisters. "After Khalid's 2:05:38 World Record performance in London this spring, there is no telling what this incredibly talented athlete is capable of," said Pinkowski. "I was there in London and was impressed to observe Khannouchi take complete control and dominate one of the greatest marathon fields ever assembled." The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has always lived up to its reputation as one of the world's fastest courses. Last year Catherine Ndereba set the women’s World Record of 2:18:47 in Chicago. In 1985 Joan Benoit Samuelson set the woman’s American record of 2:21:21 in Chicago. In its 24-year history Chicago has also owned two men’s World Records (1984 Steve Jones ? 2:08:05, 1999 Khalid Khannouchi ? 2:05:42). Elite athletes will compete this fall for an event record purse of $500,000. The male and female winners each will earn $100,000, the largest ever payout for first place in a marathon. The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon begins Sunday, October 13 at 7:30 a.m., starting and finishing in Chicago’s Grant Park. The race will be televised live on NBC5 and broadcast on Chicago’s ESPN Radio AM1000 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The 2002 race is expected to draw up to the registration cap of 37,500 participants. The Marathon is open to all runners who can complete the course in less than six hours. For information call toll-free 1-888-243-3344 (U.S. and Canada) or (312) 904-9800. Registration is $80 ($90 for international participants) and can be completed online by visiting www.chicagomarathon.com. Mail-in entries will be accepted until September 9, 2002. Runners registering online receive a $5 discount and have a September 16, 2002 deadline or until the registration cap is reached, whichever comes first. There will be no race weekend registration. # # #
