JOAN SAMUELSON JOINS THE LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON'S ELITE FIELD

October 3, 2002

Chicago (October 3, 2002) Joan Samuelson, a pioneer in women's marathon running and America's greatest women's marathon legend, has committed to run the 25th anniversary of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, it was announced today by Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. The 25th Anniversary LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon takes place Sunday, October 13 at 7:30 a.m.

"Joan Samuelson's return to compete in this year's Marathon makes the celebration of our 25th anniversary complete," said Pinkowski. " Joan is an integral part of the history of our event. I have been a big fan of hers for many years, all of us who were privileged to watch Joan's inspirational victory at the 1984 Olympics will be pulling for her."

Samuelson, 45, then known as Joan Benoit, won the first women's Olympic Marathon on August 5, 1984 in 2:24:52, the only American women ever to win a Olympic gold medal in the marathon distance. She has set the American record in the marathon five times and still holds the record from her 1985 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon victory (2:21:21). Samuelson also holds the American record at 25K (1:24:43, set in 1986) and the half-marathon mark (1:08:34, set in 1984). She is a two-time winner of the Boston Marathon (1979, 1983) and former marathon World Record holder.

"Seventeen years after setting the American record in Chicago, it's a great feeling to be coming back to The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon for the 25th anniversary," said Samuelson. "I know that I am fortunate to still be able to race in the marathon and I look forward to competing against the masters ranks. I am going to give it my best shot!"

In 2000, Samuelson was ninth at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (2:39:59) and last year she was the first masters finisher at the New York City Marathon in 2:42:56. She has been the top masters finisher at the Bix 7-Mile Road Race, the Carlsbad 5000, and the Falmouth Road Race. A Maine native, Samuelson lives in Freeport, Maine, with her husband Scott and children Amber and Anders. She is active in many community and civic organizations and is the founder of the Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race.

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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