Back to News Table of Contents.

 


      REGISTRATION SOARS FOR THE LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON
      More than 20,000 have registered; Cap expected to be reached

     Chicago (July 16, 2001) Registration is soaring again for The LaSalle
     Bank Chicago Marathon, the fastest growing marathon in the world. To
     date, more than 20,000 runners have signed up for the October 7th
     race. Registration totals have been well ahead of last year?s pace,
     which set a record of 33,171 entrants.  In 2001, The LaSalle Bank
     Chicago Marathon established a registration cap of 37,500. The cap was
     created in order to achieve, from an operations and planning
     standpoint, a race that offers a safe and enjoyable experience for
     both runners and spectators.

     "If you want to run Chicago this fall and haven't registered, sign up
     now. We anticipate the registration cap may be reached by the end of
     the summer," said Carey Pinkowski, executive race director. "I'm very
     proud of our overwhelming registration numbers. It shows that runners
     really love Chicago and want to be a part of our event, which is more
     than a 26.2 mile race - it is a celebration."

     The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is one of the premier races in the
     world. From 1996 to 2000, the number of registered runners grew
     three-fold from 10,925 to 33,171. In addition to the amazing growth of
     the field, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is now one of Chicago?s
     favorite annual traditions with more than 900,000 spectators lining
     the race course in 2000.

     Chicago also has one of the world's fastest courses. A men's World
     Record time of 2:05:42 was set in 1999, and an American Record of
     2:07:01 was set in 2000 by three-time winner Khalid Khannouchi.

     The 2001 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon begins Sunday, October 7, 2001,
     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
     1000 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The 2001 race is expected to draw up
     to the registration cap of 37,500 participants who will compete for
     $450,000 in prize money, plus time bonuses.

     How to Register for The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
     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 $70 ($80 for
     international participants) and can be completed online by visiting
     www.chicagomarathon.com. Mail-in entries will be accepted until
     September 12, 2001. Runners registering online earn a $5 discount and
     have a September 19, 2001 deadline or until the registration cap is
     reached, whichever comes first. There will be no race weekend
     registration.

###