---------------------- Forwarded Message: --------------------- From: LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon To: undisclosed-recipients: ; Subject: Khalid Khannouchi commits to run LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon for next 4-years Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 14:38:53 +0000 Please see news release announcing Khannouchi's return to Chicago. Photos of Khalid are available at chicagomarathon.com Khalid Khannouchi RETURNS TO CHICAGO FOR FOUR YEARS Long-term Agreement Brings Chicago's Most Famous Marathoner Back Home Chicago (May 19, 2004) The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will once again be home to the world's most recognizable marathoner, Khalid Khannouchi. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and Khannouchi have reached an agreement that will bring him to the streets of Chicago for the next four years. The four-year deal calls for Khannouchi to participate exclusively in Chicago among all fall marathons and will give him the opportunity to compete for the world record on a course he has dominated over the years. With four first-place finishes in Chicago, including a World Record in 1999 and an American Record in 2002, Khannouchi has become synonymous with the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. His dominance and epic performances on the 26.2 mile route is one of the great sports stories in Chicago. Khannouchi withdrew from last year's Chicago marathon due to injury. After months of treatment and rest, Khannouchi just finished his first phase of altitude training and feels better than he has in years?he is focused squarely on a top performance in Chicago. "I have been in intense training for the past 8 weeks and now feel that I can compete at the level I expect of myself for a full marathon," stated Khannouchi. "Chicago is where I started my marathon career and I couldn't think of any other place where I'd like to make my comeback. I have a goal in mind and I believe Chicago is just the place I need to be to achieve that goal." Khannouchi will have tough competition the next few years as last year's defending champion, Evans Rutto of Kenya, announced earlier this year that he will run Chicago the next two years. Khannouchi tends to perform at his best when faced with challenges and tough competition. The 2002 London Marathon proves just that as he overcame one of the strongest marathon fields ever assembled to lower his own World Record with a 2:05:38 victory. The dramatic race included Khannouchi passing two of the greatest distance runners ever ? Paul Tergat and Haile Gebreselassie ? in the final two miles. Khannouchi's London victory was also 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. Last year was much the same for Khannouchi as his injuries kept him from competing in Chicago and the U.S. Olympic Trials, but if history repeats itself, Khannouchi could be at his best ever in 2004. "Khalid Khannouchi is one of the most determined athletes I have ever come across," added Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "He thrives in Chicago and he loves this city. His injuries are behind him and his preparation for this year's race is going extremely well." When asked when a world record might return to Chicago, Pinkowski noted it has been over a year since Paula Radcliffe shocked the world with her then 2:17:18 World Record and he responded frankly: "I fully expect that the new LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon route is designed to host a world record attempt on October 10 this year." 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon The 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon takes place Sunday, October 10 starting and finishing in Chicago's Grant Park. The race will be broadcast live on CBS 2 CHICAGO and ESPN 1000. Last year's race attracted the maximum 40,000 participants. Runners may register online at chicagomarathon.com until September 3, 2004, or when the participation capacity of 40,000 has been reached (whichever comes first). Race weekend entries will not be accepted. Printable entry forms for mail-in registration are available online at chicagomarathon.com. The entrance fee for the Marathon is $80 for U.S. runners and $90 for international runners; the registration fee for the American Airlines International Fun Run 5K, held during race weekend, is $15 for both U.S. and international participants. Senior citizens, ages 60 and older, receive a $5 discount. In addition, a $5 discount will be offered to participants who register using their MasterCard credit card or pre-paid card.