1. The runners were off, nearly 20,000 of them, stampeding down Columbus Drive on a perfect spring morning in Chicago.

2. The new course mirrored the start of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, and most runners enjoyed the changes which lead to some pretty quick times, including Joel Eckberg (#313) from Darien, IL's 26:47.

3. Top area women Gloria Iverson (#701) from Lincolnwood, IL, and Lisa Menninger (#677) from La Grange, IL, finished in 29:15 and 29:42, respectively. While masters ace Jim Raymond (#893) from Highland, IN finished in 32:22.

4. Defending champion Brian Sell (left) stole a glance back at eventual runner-up Leszek Biegala before sprinting ahead to retain his title for another year.

5. Sell flexed his muscle in defeating a quality elite field, then he gave the crowd a little something extra to cheer for as he crossed the finsih line.

6. All eyes were on Deena Kastor to challenge the American 8K Record, and she didn't just challenge it, she destroyed it with a winning time of 24:36, nearly a half-minute below the previous mark.

7. While Kastor's timing-chip recorded one American Record on the streets of Chicago, the city looks forward to her return this fall to make an attempt at yet another at The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

8. Crusing down the home stretch, Nini Casey (#3396) of Chicago, IL clocked 33:18, and Evelio Reyes (#758) of Berwyn, IL recorded a time of 33:27.

9. Rebecca Wietbrock, 24, of Lake Villa (left, 42:59) and Beth Gallery, 24, of Palatine (right, 43:05) were still glowing from the Fighting Illini's victory in the Final Four the previous night.

For complete race results click here.