-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Chicago Marathon Registration Reaches 35,000 -- Last Chance to Registerbefore
40,000 CAP is Reached
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 10:14:12 -0500
Press Release
(From the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon)
Last Chance to Register Before Cap is Reached
35,000 Registered to Date ? Registration will Close at 40,000
Chicago (August 11, 2003)?Registration for the 2003 LaSalle Bank Chicago
Marathon has reached 35,000 to date and is expected to reach the cap of
40,000 shortly. Once the cap is reached, registration will be closed and
there will not be an opportunity to participate in this year's marathon.
"If you want to run this year's LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, you'll need
to register immediately," advised Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski.
"It's certainly common to have thoughts of running without actually
registering, so if you've been training and have made that kind commitment,
you need to register today so you can compete in this year's race. "
The 26.2-mile race takes place on Sunday, October 12. The cap was
increased this year to 40,000 from 37,500. The marathon is open to all
runners who can complete the course in less than six hours. Registration
is $80 ($90 for international participants) and can be completed online at
www.chicagomarathon.com. For additional information, call 1-888-243-3344
(U.S. and Canada) or (312) 904-9800.
Participation in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has increased
dramatically since 1996 when only 10,925 registered. The 2003 marathon has
the potential to be largest marathon ever to take place. Pinkowski attests
the record participation to the growing popularity of running and the fact
that the Chicago race has become engrained into the fabric of Chicago and
its sports scene.
"The marathon has become an integral part of the fabric of the City of
Chicago and we see this more and more each year," added Event Chairman and
Chief Marketing Officer for LaSalle Bank, Mark A. Nystuen. "Not only do
40,000 people run the race, but nearly 1 million spectators line the
course, 150,000 people attend the Health & Fitness Expo, and the event is
broadcast around the world?this has become an International event that
Chicagoans have truly embraced."
New to this year's race are competitive and preferred start positions for
those who meet certain qualifying times based on completion of a marathon
or half-marathon since Jan. 1, 2001. The competitive and preferred start
positions are staged closer in proximity to the start line and are offered
based on registration date and valid proof received.
Qualifying times for the remaining 350 competitive start positions are
3:15:00 or less in a full marathon and 1:30:00 or less in a half-marathon.
For the remaining 1,500 preferred start positions, the qualifying times are
3:45:00 in a marathon and 1:45:00 in a half-marathon.
Elite athletes will compete this fall for the highest marathon purse ever,
$550,000. The male and female winners each will earn $100,000, the largest
first place payout in the sport. The 2003 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
begins Sunday, October 12 at 8 a.m., starting and finishing in Chicago's
Grant Park and is expected to draw up to the increased registration cap of
40,000 participants. CBS 2 CHICAGO is the official broadcast partner of
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and will cover the race live from 7:30
a.m. to 11 a.m. race day.
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