HISTORIC FIELD GROWS FOR THE LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON

September 30, 2002

Abdelkhader El Mouaziz, Yoko Shibui and Others Added to World Class Field

Chicago (September 30, 2002) The historic field for The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has grown even deeper with the addition of another sub 2:07 marathoner, Abdelkhader El Mouaziz, to the men's field and a rising Japanese star, Yoko Shibui, to the women's field, Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski announced today. The much-anticipated 25th Anniversary of LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon takes place October 13.

To have both World Record holders Khalid Khannouchi and Catherine Ndereba is an accomplishment; to also have their closest competitors, Paul Tergat and Paula Radcliffe in the same race is unprecedented. Now with the addition of El Mouaziz and Shibui the amount of pure, raw distance running talent and ability put together in one race exceeds any other marathon in the world.

"Aldelkader El Mouziz has shown through his aggressive racing style that he can not only run with the best in the world, Paul Tergat and Khalid Khannouchi, he can also defeat them," said Pinkowski. "His impressive mid-race attacking style that has brought him victories at the New York City and London Marathons will add an interesting element of excitement to this year's LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. We have a strong group of very talented athletes that are looking to break through to the next level."

El Mouaziz, a two-time Olympian from Morocco, is one of the world's most accomplished marathoner runners. He is a two-time winner of the London Marathon (1999, 2001) and the winner of the 2000 New York City Marathon. Earlier this year El Mouaziz ran a personal best 2:06:52 in a fourth place finish in London. This will be his first appearance at The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

Shibui, only 23 years old, is the latest star on the Japanese marathon scene. Shibui broke into the world spotlight at the 2001 Osaka International Ladies Marathon recording the second best marathon debut (2:23:11). Earlier this year she set the Japanese national 10,000m record (30:48.89) with her victory at the Cardinal Invitational in Palo Alto, CA. The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will be her third marathon.

"I was there at the 2001 Osaka Ladies International Marathon and extremely impressed as I witnessed Shibui's debut and victory through very challenging conditions and, even more difficult, with absolutely no competition," said Pinkowski. "This time Shibui will have some competition and I am confidant she will rise to the challenge and respond well to the other female athletes."

Other impressive additions to The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon's elite list include Driss El Himer, Ian Syster and Toshinari Takaoka.

El Himer's stunning debut was a 2:07:02 victory at the 2001 Amsterdam Marathon. That performance was the second fastest marathon in 2001, a French National Record and the third fastest debut marathon ever.

Syster has only been running for two years. He made his marathon debut at the South African National Championships in 2001 and won the race to become the South African National Champion (2:13:30). Syster finished fifth at this year's London Marathon with a breakthrough performance of 2:07:06, a new personal best time by more than six minutes.

Takaoka, a two-time Olympian, is the Japanese National record holder at 3000m (7:41.87), 5000m (13:13.40) and 10,000m (27:35.09). He will be running his second marathon and first LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. His marathon debut was at the 2001 Fukuoka Marathon where he finished third in 2:09:41.

Additional notable elite women include Masako Chiba, Nuta Olaru and Svetlana Zakharova,

Chiba'a first serious marathon was a 2:29:00 effort for fifth place at the 1999 Tokyo Ladies Marathon. She won 2001 Hokkaido Marathon in 2:30:39 and was second in 2002 Rotterdam Marathon in 2:25:11.

Olaru is the second fastest woman marathoner in Romanian history. She broke through to world class level with a 2:25:18 personal best at the 2001 London Marathon. As part of her preparation for The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, Olaru ran a strong third place (1:10:49) at the Rock 'N' Roll Half-Marathon, then knocked 53 seconds from her personal best with a 1:08:59 second place finish at the Romanian Half-Marathon Championships in mid-September.

Zakharova placed second at the 2002 London Marathon, running the 17th fastest marathon of all-time and set a Russian National record in 2:22:31. In 2001 she ran four major marathons and finished in the top three in each; second in London, third at the World Championships, second in New York City and second in Honolulu.

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 Chicago's NBC5 and broadcast on Chicago's ESPN Radio 1000 AM from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

2002 LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON ELITE ATHLETE LISTING

MEN COUNTRY PR BIB #

Aish, Michael New Zealand Debut 16
Baker, Kyle United States Debut 22
Behar, Abdelah France 2:09:05 18
Cox, Josh United States 2:13:55 32
Culpepper, Alan United States Debut 15
DeHaven, Rod United States 2:12:41 42 P
De La Cerda, Peter United States 2:16:18 37
Dowling, Keith United States 2:13:28 27
Dwyer, Julian Australia 2:20:29 34
El Himer, Driss France 2:07:02 19
El Mouaziz, Abdelkader Morocco 2:06:52 5
Githuka, Peter Kenya 2:08:02 4
Guerra, Silvio Ecuador 2:09:49 41 P
Hiskia, Tobias South Africa 2:23:29 7
Ito, Kentaro Japan 2:14:12 24
Johnson, Weldon United States 2:19:52 43 P
Kagwe, John Kenya 2:08:12 9
Kariuki, Joesph Kenya 2:13:58 44 P
Kebede, Getachew Ethiopia 2:11:43 38
Khannouchi, Khalid United States 2:05:38 2
Kimondiu, Ben Kenya 2:08:52 1
Kiprotich, Godfrey Kenya N/A 45 P
Kirui Kiptoo, David Kenya 2:09:40 21
Mack, Eric United States 2:12:42 10
Mogaka, Ronald Kenya 2:12:58 47 P
Michelsson, Magnus Australia 2:16:32 33
Nagano, Yasuyuki Japan 2:13:44 28
Njenga, Daniel Kenya 2:11:01 29
Pitayo, Martin Mexico 2:09:41 8
Rundell, Carl United States 2:22:23 35
Shay, Ryan United States Debut 31
Shimazaki, Takayuki Japan 2:11:01 26
Syster, Ian South Africa 2:07:06 20
Takaoka, Toshinari Japan 2:09:41 23
Tergat, Paul Kenya 2:05:48 3
Thys,Gert South Africa 2:06:33 46
Verran, Clint United States 2:17:20 30
WOMEN COUNTRY PR BIB #
Chiba, Masako Japan 2:25:11 105
Drossin, Deena United States 2:26:58 106
Hennessy, Jeanne United States 2:38:58 107
Hunt, Nicole United States Debut 108
Johnston, Kristy United States 2:29:05 109
Ndereba, Catherine Kenya 2:18:47 101
Obata, Kayoko Japan 2:25:14 111
Olaru, Nuta Romania 2:34:25 112
Radcliffe, Paula Great Britain 2:18:56 102
Rhines, Jen United States Debut 107
Samuelson, Joan United States 2:21:21 113
Shubui, Yoko Japan 2:23:11 114
Zakharova, Svetlana South Africa 2:22:31 115
RACE WEEKEND MEDIA INFORMATION
Please Note New Event for 2002
25th Anniversary Celebration Press Conference on October 11

Race Weekend Media Center
Hilton Chicago, Boulevard Room (2nd Floor), 720 South Michigan Ave.
Thursday, October 10, 2002 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, October 11, 2002 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 12, 2002 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 13, 2002 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, October 10, 2002
Noon Press Conference - Hilton Chicago, Boulevard Room
The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Kickoff Press Conference (Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley, last year's Champions and other notable elite athletes will be present along with Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski.)
11a.m. - 5 p.m. Media Center Open - Hilton Chicago, Boulevard Room
Friday, October 11, 2002
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Media Center Open - Hilton Chicago Boulevard Room
10:30 a.m. Press Conference - Hilton Chicago, Boulevard Room
***25th Anniversary Celebration Press Conference***
(All elite athletes, several past champions, and Alumni Runners who have run each Chicago Marathon will be present along with Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski)
Noon - 7 p.m. Elite Athlete Interviews - Hilton Chicago, Boulevard Room
(Interview Schedule To Be Announced)
Saturday, October 12, 2002
9 a.m. American Airlines International Fun Run 5K, Grant Park Columbus Drive and Roosevelt Road; Elite athletes will attend.
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Media Center Open - Hilton Chicago, Boulevard Room
Elite Athlete Interviews (Interview Schedule To Be Announced)
Sunday, October 13, 2002 RACE DAY
6 a.m. Media Center Open (Breakfast and Lunch will be served)
10:15 a.m. Finish line Award Presentation (Top three male and female finishers)
10:45 a.m. Post-Race Press Conference - Hilton Chicago, Boulevard Room

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