---------------------- 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.
