Contact: www.chicagomarathon.com
THE LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON REACHES REGISTRATION CAP
Registration Now Closed for the October 13 Race
Chicago, Illinois - September 3, 2002 - The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon -
celebrating its 25th Anniversary - has reached its registration cap of
37,500, matching last year's record totals. Registration is now closed for
the October 13 race. In 2001, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon established
a registration cap of 37,500 to ensure from both an operational and
planning standpoint, a race that will offer a safe and enjoyable experience
for runners and spectators.
"We are thrilled with the registration numbers for our 25th Anniversary,"
said Carey Pinkowski, executive race director. "From it's modest beginnings
in 1977 with just 4,200 runners to its present popularity with 37,500
participants, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has made history,
traditions and dreams become a reality. The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago
Marathon will carry on its prestigious legacy, continuing to add pages to
the record books."
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is one of the premier races in the world.
From 1996 to 2001, the number of registered runners grew more than
three-fold from 10,925 to 37,500. In addition to the phenomenal growth of
the field, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is now one of Chicago's
favorite annual traditions with nearly a million spectators lining the 26.2
mile race course in 2001.
The growth in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon economic impact is equally
impressive, delivering a powerful $90 million boost to Chicago's economy in
2001, according to figures provided by the Regional Economic Application
Laboratory. From 1996 to 2001, the Marathon's impact has grown three-fold
from $29.6 million to $90 million.
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has a reputation as one of the world's
fastest courses. Last year Catherine Ndereba set a new World Record of
2:18:47, while Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson set the still-standing
women's American record of 2:21:21 on Chicago's streets in 1985. In its
24-year history Chicago also has held two men's World Records (1984 Steve
Jones - 2:08:05, 1999 Khalid Khannouchi - 2:05:42).
Elite athletes will compete this fall for an event-record purse of
$500,000. The male and female winners each will earn $100,000, the largest
ever payout for first place in a marathon. The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago
Marathon begins Sunday, October 13 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 AM1000 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
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