Chicago (September 14, 2000) - For the first time in its 24-year history, The 
LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will be closing registration prior to race 
weekend.  As was previously announced in February, potential runners need to 
make note that time is running out to sign up for the Marathon. Participants 
have only one more week, until Friday, September 22, 2000 (one month before 
the race), to mail in an application for the October 22nd race. Those who opt 
to register online at www.chicagomarathon.com, have until Sunday, October 1 - 
and will save $5.00 off their registration fee. No applications will be 
accepted after October 1, 2000.

Despite the notable change in deadline, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, 
the fastest growing marathon in the world, has continued its "open to all" 
policy, said Carey Pinkowski, executive race director.  "We think our growth 
has a lot to do with the fact that we encourage runners of all types and 
abilities to be part of a world-class marathon, with no qualifying, no 
lottery and no maximum field," explains Pinkowski. "That approach obviously 
works for us because we're expecting around 35,000 runners this year, up 
from10,082 runners just five years ago." The race is the largest major 
marathon to not impose a registration size cap nor require a qualifying time.

Elite athletes will be vying for a total purse of $450,000 at The LaSalle 
Bank Chicago Marathon in October, with $75,000, plus possible time bonuses, 
going to the two winners. Volkswagen of America, Inc. will award a new car to 
the first male and the first female to break the existing World Record. The 
2000 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon begins Sunday, October 22, 2000, at 7:30 
a.m., starting and finishing in Chicago's Grant Park.  For more information 
call 312/904-9800 or 
888/243-3344 toll-free.


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