PAUL TERGAT TO RUN LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON

August 13, 2002

World's Second Fastest Marathoner Joins Chicago's Historic Field

Chicago (August 13, 2002) Paul Tergat - one of the greatest distance runners of all-time - has committed to The 25th Anniversary LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski announced today. Earlier this year Tergat became the world's second fastest marathoner with a 2:05:48 performance in London after an epic duel against World Record holder Khalid Khannouchi and Haile Gebrselassie. Tergat joins an unprecedented field in Chicago that now includes a match-up of the two fastest male and the two fastest female marathon runners of all-time.

"Paul's addition to this field makes it the strongest in the 25 year history of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon," said Pinkowski. "To have both world record holders Khalid Khannouchi and Catherine Ndereba is an accomplishment, but to also have their closest competitors, Paul Tergat and Paula Radcliffe in the same race is epic. To have these magnificent athletes meet in the prime of their careers on Chicago's fast course may result in the greatest head to head competitions in marathon history. I can't wait for October 13!"

The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is the first time that both the men's and women's World Record holders have appeared in the same race since the 1984 Olympics. And for the first time in the history of marathon running the world will witness the two fastest males and two fastest females competing against each other.

Tergat, 32-years old from Baringo, Kenya, is now mastering the marathon distance after having one of the most successful and decorated track careers in history. He is a former World Record holder in the 10,000 meter (26:27.85) and two-time silver medallist in the Olympic 10,000 meter (1996 & 2000). Tergat won five consecutive World Cross Country Championships from 1995 to 1999. He holds two world half-marathon championship titles (1998, 1999) and a World Record in the distance (59:06). Last year Tergat finished second (2:08:56) in is first appearance in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. His second place finish of 2:05:48 at the London Marathon this spring was the third fastest of all-time and a Kenyan national record.

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has always lived up to its reputation as one of the world's fastest courses. Besides Catherine Ndereba's World Record set in 2001, Joan Benoit Samuelson set the woman's American record of 2:21:21 in Chicago in 1985. In its 24-year history Chicago also has owned 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 NBC5 and broadcast on Chicago's ESPN Radio AM1000 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The 2002 race is expected to draw up to the registration cap of 37,500 participants.

REGISTRATION NOTICE Registration is soaring for the 25th Anniversary of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. To date, more than 30,000 runners have signed up for the October 13th race. Registration totals have been ahead of last year's pace, which set a record by reaching its cap of 37,500 entrants at the end of August. The registration cap of 37,500 is expected to be reached very soon.

The Marathon is open to all runners who can complete the course in less than six hours. For information call toll-free 1-888-243-3344 (U.S. and Canada) or (312) 904-9800. Registration is $80 ($90 for international participants) and can be completed online by visiting www.chicagomarathon.com. Mail-in entries will be accepted until September 9, 2002. Runners registering online receive a $5 discount and have a September 16, 2002 deadline or until the registration cap is reached, whichever comes first. There will be no race weekend registration.

Editor's Notes:
· Also attached is a credential request form for The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.
· Please send in your media credential request to Tom Smithburg by September 20, 2002.
· You can find all our past press releases in the "Press Center" section of www.chicagomarathon.com

(See attached file: 2002 Release - Paul Tergat Returning to Chicago.doc) (See attached file: 2002 Chicago Marathon Credential Request.doc) (See attached file: RACE WEEKEND MEDIA INFORMATION.doc)

2002 Elite Athlete Lineup
MEN HOME PR
Michael Aish NZL Debut
Jeff Campbell USA 2:19:18
Alan Culpepper USA Debut
Luis Antonio Dos Santos BRA 2:08:55
Keith Dowling USA 2:13:28
Shawn Found USA Debut
Peter Githuka KEN 2:08:02
Tobias Hiskia RSA 2:07:02
John Kagwe KEN 2:08:12
Joseph Kariuki KEN 2:13:58
Ben Kimondiu KEN 2:08:52
Khalid Khannouchi USA 2:05:38
Eric Mack USA 2:12:42
Paul Tergat KEN 2:05:48
Gert Thys RSA 2:07:45
Clint Verran USA 2:17:20
Mark Steinle GBR 2:09:17
Chris Wehrman USA 2:19:01

WOMEN HOME PR
Masako Chiba JAP 2:25:11
Deena Drossin USA 2:26:58
Jeanne Hennessy USA 2:39:58
Nicole Hunt USA Debut
Kristy Johnson USA 2:29:05
Catherine Ndereba KEN 2:18:47
Paula Radcliffe GBR 2:18:56
Jen Rhines USA Debut
Zinaida Semyonova RUS 2:26:51
Yoko Shibui JAP 2:23:11
Marian Sutton GBR 2:28:42
Svetlana Zakharova RUS 2:22:31

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