FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Past Champions and World Record-Holders Return to Chicago as Race
Ambassadors to Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that running
legends and past champions Steve Jones (1984, 1985), Khalid Khannouchi
(1997, 1999, 2000, 2002), Catherine Ndereba (2000, 2001), Paula Radcliffe
(2002) and Deena Kastor (2005) will return as race ambassadors to celebrate
the 40th anniversary of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8.
Jones, Khannouchi, Ndereba and Radcliffe all set world records on the
iconic Chicago Marathon course. Kastor, a multi-time American record-holder
and an Olympic bronze medalist, is the last American woman to have captured
the Chicago crown. All five champions will be available to meet with
runners and the community at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, the Advocate
Health Care International Chicago 5K, and at various points throughout race
week.
"To have Steve, Khalid, Catherine, Paula and Deena returning to Chicago
adds an extra layer of excitement and historic significance to race week as
we look forward to celebrating 40 years of one of the greatest marathons in
the world," said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "All of their
victories shine in our record books, and on top of being great champions,
they have been dedicated ambassadors to the running community. We are
honored to welcome them back to Chicago."
Jones put the Chicago Marathon on the map in 1984, delivering its first
world record (2:08:05) in spite of cold temperatures, a steady downpour and
a world-class elite field. Many credit Jones' fearless running style with
elevating marathon racing to the next level. Khannouchi made his marathon
debut in Chicago in 1997, winning in 2:07:10 to set course, debut and North
American records, while running the fourth-fastest time ever. He returned
in 1999 to close out the century by clawing back from a 33-second deficit
to set a new world record (2:05:42) and to become the first man to break
2:06. He seized two more Chicago Marathon victories in 2000 and 2002.
Ndereba - often called "Catherine the Great" - competed in her first
Chicago Marathon in 2000, becoming the first athlete in 15 years to
threaten Joan Benoit Samuelson's course record (2:21:21). Ndereba broke the
tape in 2:21:33, and then returned in 2001 to make history. After a slow
start and an early challenge from the field, Ndereba gifted Chicago with
its third world record by becoming the first woman to break 2:19,
officially running 2:18:47. Radcliffe added an exclamation point to the
25th anniversary of the Chicago Marathon in 2002 when she arrived to go
head-to-head with Ndereba. She took command of the race at the halfway mark
and put on a show for nearly 1 million spectators, breaking Ndereba's world
record by 89 seconds (running 2:17:18) and becoming the first woman to run
under 2:18 setting a new precedent for what was possible in women's
running.
Kastor came to Chicago one year after a courageous Olympic run in the
marathon that saw her patiently pick off her competitors to ultimately
stand on the podium with a bronze medal. She moved to the lead in 2005
shortly after 5K and sustained a sub-2:20 pace for the final 23 miles. She
narrowly won by five seconds, taking home her first Abbott World Marathon
Major victory and turning in the third-fastest time ever by an American.
Runners interested in celebrating the 40th running of the Chicago Marathon
still have the opportunity to join the anniversary field by signing up to
run and fundraise on behalf of a charity. Race organizers have seen great
interest and enthusiasm from runners hoping to be a part of this milestone
and are expecting one of the largest finisher fields in event history.
Learn more about race weekend events and activities at chicagomarathon.com.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 40th year, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomes thousands
of runners from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a
world-class elite field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans,
debut marathoners and charity runners. The race's iconic course takes
runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural
tour of Chicago. Annually, an estimated 1.7 million spectators line the
streets cheering on more than 40,000 runners from the start line to the
final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race's national and
international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of
dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $277 million in
annual economic impact to its host city. The 2017 Bank of America Chicago
Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and
finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 8. In
advance of the race, a two-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at
McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 6, and Saturday,
October 7. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go
to chicagomarathon.com.
Visit the Bank of America newsroom for more Bank of America news.
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