Aug. 22, 2000
     Khalid Khannouchi, the top-ranked road runner in 1999 and the fastest
 man ever to run a marathon, committed today to run The LaSalle Bank Chicago
 Marathon on Oct. 22, 2000, according to Carey Pinkowski, the executive race
 director.  
    After being introduced by Pinkowski at a noon press conference at the
 Hilton Chicago, Khannouchi said, "I had many offers to run a fall marathon
 after my performance here last year, but I feel it is important for me to
 defend this particular title and come back to a city that has become my
 home away from home. I always know when I come here, I will be challenged
 by the best field in the world, and that helps me run my best." 
    Khannouchi, 28 years old, flew to a 2:05:42 finish on the Chicago course
 on Oct. 19, 1999, slashing 23 seconds off the previous World Record time.
 He trailed a hard-charging Moses Tanui by 33 seconds at the 21-mile mark,
 but then Khannouchi blistered the last 5.2 miles in 24:21, laying down mile
 splits of  4:43, 4:41, 4:43, 4:35 and 4:40 and passing Tanui just after the
 24-mile mark.
    The resident of Ossining, NY, has had unmatched success at The LaSalle
 Bank Chicago Marathon. He made his marathon distance debut here in 1997,
 earning not only a victory but also setting a then record 2:07:10 for
 first-time marathoners. He returned in 1998 to take second in 2:07:19,
 bested by Ondoro Osoro, who set a new rookie standard of 2:06:54. He is one
 of only two men to ever post three sub-2:08 marathons (the other, Gert Thys
 of South Africa, is also signed to run this year's LaSalle Bank Chicago
 Marathon).
    "Khalid Khannouchi has set a standard of success that is almost beyond
 comprehension," said Pinkowski. "He brings an excitement and aura to our
 race that has all of us counting the days until we can see him run again
 because every time he does, it's something special to watch.  I can't begin
 to tell you how pleased we are that Khalid chose to come back to Chicago to
 prove to the world that he's still the best.
    "Khannouchi is recovering from ligament damage to his left ankle and
 right hamstring sustained during his April 16, 2000 effort at the Flora
 London Marathon where he finished third in 2:08:36.  He has raced only
 twice since then. He picked up a fifth place at the Beach To Beacon 10K
 (Maine) on Aug. 5, in his first outing after months of rehabilitation.
 Then two days ago he took third in a tight finish at the Falmouth Road Race
 (Massachusetts) although his time of 31:47 was his fastest Falmouth effort
 in six trips to that race.
    Khannouchi was the top ranked distance runner in 1999 according to
 Running Times and USATF. Runner's World and Track & Field News slated him
 second. Khannouchi has finished in the money in 82% of his career
 competitions (68 of 82), winning 40 of the races. He was recently granted
 his U.S. citizenship but injury prevented him from running at the U.S.
 Olympic Trials this past spring. 
    Khannouchi said his new citizenship also influenced his decision to run
 Chicago, because "I want to set a new American record for my new country.
 Historically, Chicago has been the most welcoming to the top American
 runners and it is only right that I go for the record on the same course
 where Joan Benoit Samuelson and David Morris set their marks."  Morris set
 the current mark of 2:09:32 (non point-to-point course) last year at
 Chicago.
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Elite List
As of 8/22/00
 MEN (Marathon PR)
Jeff Campbell   (2:19:18)
Mark Coogan (2:13:05)
Peter De La Cerda (2:16:18)
Eddy Hellebuyck (2:11:50)
Khalid Khannouchi* (2:05:42)
Joseph Kimani (2:25:32)
Josphat Kiprono (2:06:44)
Fred Kiprop (2:06:47)
Scott Larson (2:14:57)
Samuel Otieno (2:09:12)
Teddy Mitchell (2:20:33)
David Morris    (2:09:32)
Gary Stolz (2:18:46)
Gert Thys (2:06:33)
* - new additions to roster
WOMEN
Gwyn Coogan (2:32:58)
Libbie Hickman  (2:28:34)
Kristy Johnston (2:29:05)
Ann Schaefers-Coles  (2:38:25)
Linda Somers-Smith (2:30:06)