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CONTACT: Robin Monsky
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Chicago - THE LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON SIGNS MORE OF WORLD'S BEST Two Sub-2:07 Marathoners Join The Field



Chicago (August 17,2000): Two sub-2:07 marathoners, the sixth and seventh all-time fastest male marathoners in the world, have signed to run The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on October 22, 2000 according to Carey Pinkowski, executive race director.

The addition of Josphat Kiprono and Fred Kiprop to a field which already includes Gert Thys, fourth on the world's all-time list, means the Race will feature three of the seven fastest distance runners ever going head-to-head.

The 26-year old Kiprono has won four of eight major marathons, highlighted by his 2:06:44 win in the 1999 Berlin Marathon, which placed him in 7th place all-time. The Kenyan road specialist started his year with a bang by winning the IAAF Rome Millenium Marathon on January 1, 2000, and followed that up with a second place in the Prague Marathon in May. Kiprono earned a silver medal at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 1996. He has finished in the money in 48% of his 31career races and been in the top 5 in 26 of the events.

Kiprop moved into 7th place on the all-time list with his 2:06:47 win in Amsterdam in 1999. He has completed nine marathons since 1997 notching three victories, two 2nd places and two 4ths in the process. He was Khalid Khannouchi's runner-up in The 1997 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in only his second attempt at the 26.2-mile distance. The 26-year old Kenyan has raced very lightly in his career with just 16 certified efforts. He has finished in the top three in nine of those outings and all but two have been at the marathon or half-marathon distance.

"Kiprop and Kiprono are important additions to our field," stated Pinkowski. "Some races might have stopped building after signing a talent like Gert Thys, but you can't have a horse race without the horses - and these guys are Kentucky Derby-caliber runners. They've both won major marathons and proved they have the speed to push the pace here in Chicago and still be there to break the tape at the end. That's what makes a horse race, and that's what will make for an exciting marathon this October."

In other news about elite athletes, Pinkowski noted that both Susannah Beck and Liz Wilson had withdrawn from this fall's race due to injury. "I am extremely disappointed to lose these two American talents but they need to take care of themselves for the future. I was looking forward to seeing what they could do here in Chicago with their potential but unfortunately we'll have to wait until 2001."

-more-

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. 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 or to register online visit chicagomarathon.com or call 312/904-9800 or 888/243-3344 toll-free. Marathon runners will not be allowed to sign up for the event on Race Weekend, a notable change from previous years. Mail registration will close Sept. 22 -- one month before the event -- while online registration at chicagomarathon.com will remain open until Oct. 1. As a bonus, all online registrants will receive a $5 discount. After Oct. 1, no applications will be accepted.

# # # The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Elite List As of 8/17/00

MEN

Jeff Campbell
Mark Coogan
Peter De La Cerda
Eddie Hellebuyck
Joseph Kimani*
Josphat Kiprono* (2:06:44)
Fred Kiprop* (2:06:47)
Scott Larson
Samuel Otieno*
Teddy Mitchell
David Morris
Gary Stolz
Gert Thys*


* New Additions to Roster W - withdrawn due to injury

WOMEN

Susannah Beck - W
Gwyn Coogan
Libbie Hickman
Kristy Johnstonv Ann Schaefers-Coles
Linda Somers-Smith
Liz Wilson - W


Robin A. Monsky
Round Robin Sports
(312) 337-3790
[email protected]

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