DEENA DROSSIN, TOP AMERICANS TO RUN THE 2002 LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON

May 8, 2002

Chicago (May 8, 2002) - Deena Drossin, the # 1 ranked American female distance runner, Jen Rhines, ranked 2nd in the U.S. Road Race Rankings and Alan Culpepper, a 2000 Olympian in the 10,000m, are among the first elite athletes to commit to The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, according to Carey Pinkowski, executive race director. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon - celebrating its 25th Anniversary - takes place on October 13, 2002. Athletes will compete for an event record purse of $500,000, including double the placement award for Americans finishing in the Top 10. The male and female winners each will earn $100,000, the largest ever payout for first place in a marathon.

"We are extremely pleased to have Deena, Jen and Alan compete in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon this fall," said Pinkowski. "Athletes of their stature, who have established themselves as top U.S. competitors in track and cross-country, have traditionally produced great marathon performances. This is the best collective group of American distance runners to compete in the 25-year history of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon."

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is one of the best venues for American athletes to prove themselves against the world's best. Chicago is home to the women's American record set by Joan Benoit Samuelson in 1985 (2:21:21) and has held the men's American record three times in the past five years (Khalid Khannouchi in 2000, David Morris in 1999 and Jerry Lawson in 1997).

Drossin, 29, resides in Alamosa, CO, and has been referred to as the "First Lady of Distance Running". In April she won the Carlsbad 5000m with a World Record performance of 14:54, shattering her own American record of 15:08 and lowering the world standard by three seconds. This past weekend Drossin shattered the American 10,000m record at the Cardianal Invitational with a time of 30:50.32, nearly 30 seconds off the former standard set in 1992. She has emerged as the dominant force in U.S. cross-country competition, America's top 5K, 10K, 15K and marathon runner, as well as a tough competitor on the international stage. This year Drossin also broke the U.S. 15K record with her third consecutive victory in the Gate River Run in 48:14. Her silver-medal performance at the 2002 IAAF World Cross-Country Championships led Team USA to a silver medal. Drossin's debut in the marathon came last year at the U.S. Marathon Championship (New York City Marathon) where she earned the U.S. title with a seventh place finish against a world class field. She is the fourth fastest American of all-time (2:26:58) and holds the fastest U.S. marathon debut ever.

"I am excited to be a part of a marathon that has proven to be one of the fastest in the world," commented Drossin. "I look forward to competing in Chicago against the world's best athletes in a race with a phenomenal reputation."

Rhines, 27, from Syracuse, NY, is a three-time NCAA outdoor 5000m champion, an NCAA indoor 5000m champion and an NCAA cross-country champion from Villanova University. She made the 2000 U.S. Olympic team at the 10,000m, running a personal best of 31:58 in Sydney. Rhines has represented the U.S. three times at the IAAF World Cross-Country Championships and won a bronze team medal in 2000 when she finished 13th in the 8K event. So far this year Rhines has accomplished two personal bests, placing third at the U.S. 15K Championships at the Gate River Run in 49:22 and third in the 10,000m at the Cardinal Invitation. This will be her first attempt at the marathon distance.

"Over the past few years I have been preparing to handle the marathon distance," said Rhines. "I think that I am finally ready to race 26.2 miles and feel that The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is the best place to make my debut. Chicago provides all of the elements for the making of a great race and I am excited to be a part of it this year."

Culpepper, 29, resides in Louisville, CO, and is a 2000 Olympian at 10,000m. He is a former University of Colorado NCAA 5000m champion and U.S. Track and Cross-Country National Champion. Culpepper ran 27:33.93 for 10,000m at the 2001 Cardinal Invitational, becoming the sixth-fastest American ever at that distance. He won the Winter Cross-Country 12K Championships in 1999 and placed second in 2000 and 2001.

"I am very excited to compete in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon," said Culpepper. "When racing a marathon, I feel you should have as many factors as possible in your favor and Chicago does that through a number of areas. It is an extremely well organized event with a fast course and traditionally favorable weather conditions. I feel the Chicago Marathon will suit my strengths well."

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 1000 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 who will compete for $500,000 in prize money, plus time bonuses.

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 $70 ($80 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 earn 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.

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