FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: T. Hauser of LaSalle Bank
312-904-4687 - cell
312-907-2863 - fax
Khalid Khannouchi to Start and Finish Season in Chicago
Four-Time LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Champ to
Run The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle
CHICAGO - (February 24, 2005) - Four-time LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
Champion Khalid Khannouchi will begin his 2005 season and marathon training
in Chicago at this year's LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K. Khannouchi, who
has dominated the streets of Chicago even before his world record run here
in 1999, will make his first-ever appearance in The LaSalle Bank Shamrock
Shuffle 8K. His 2005 season will start in Chicago with the 8K race on
Sunday, April 3 and will culminate with his seventh running of The LaSalle
Bank Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9.
Khannouchi, 33, from Ossining, N.Y., has his sights set on a big year in
Chicago as he looks to improve upon last year's fifth-place Marathon
finish. He announced recently he would not run in the 2005 Flora London
Marathon and that his only marathon this year would be Chicago. The energy
and crowd support in Chicago have always motivated Khannouchi. And he feels
that starting his training season with The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K
coupled with the running of the Chicago Marathon exclusively, will provide
the foundation to achieve the success the world has come to expect.
"I was a guest of the Shamrock Shuffle last year and I look forward to
competing in the traditional kick-off of the running season in Chicago this
year," said Khannouchi. "Chicago has been so kind to me since I debuted
here in 1997 and I am pleased to have the opportunity to run both races in
2005."
Khannouchi added, "My decision to withdraw from the London Marathon will
enable me to focus on just one marathon in 2005. This will allow me to
remain competitive among the strong field that is always assembled for The
LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon."
To say that Khannouchi has dominated the streets of Chicago is an
understatement. With four first-place feats, including a record-setting
performance, Khannouchi's dominance is one of the great sports stories in
Chicago.
"Khalid Khannouchi is undoubtedly one of, if not, the greatest distance
runners of all time," remarked Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski.
"His epic performances and dramatic finishes in Chicago are some of the
greatest moments in marathon history. We are excited to have him back in
the Marathon this year and are also very pleased that he will join us for
The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K."
Although he finished a disappointing fifth in the Marathon, he felt good
that he completed the marathon after nearly 24 months of injuries and said
he learned valuable lessons that will certainly help him in his preparation
for this year's marathon.
How Khalid performs in the Marathon this year depends on his training and
his health. But Chicagoans will get a sneak peek of their favorite
marathoner when he returns home to run in The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle
8K.
The 2005 LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K
The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle, the country's largest 8K with 22,382
entrants in 2004, is set to take place Sunday, April 3 in Grant Park. The
8K race starts at 9:30am followed by the 5K walk at 10am and the kids' race
at 11am. All events start and finish in Grant Park.
Pre-race weekend registration for all events is now available online at
www.shamrockshuffle.com through Saturday, March 12. Early registration for
the 8K race is only $30. Other events and fees include a 5K Fitness Walk
for $20, and the Quarter-Mile Kids Shuffle for $10.
Following Saturday, March 12, fees cost $37 through Tuesday, March 22.
Online registration will completely close at midnight on Tuesday, March 22
(or before a 22,500 cap is reached), and there will be no weekend or
Race-Day registration for the 8K race and 5K walk.
Race packet pick-up and Race-Weekend registration take place at the Health
& Fitness Expo located at Navy Pier, Festival Hall B on Friday, April 1
from 10am to 8pm and Saturday, April 2 from 9am to 6pm. Admission to the
Health & Fitness Expo is free. There is no Race-Day packet pick-up or
registration for the 8K race.
For more information on The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K, visit
www.shamrockshuffle.com or call (312) 904-9814.
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