The 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon charity program broke all its own records as the 60 affiliated charities combined to generate more than $9.2 million through the race for their causes. With a record 5,000 individuals participating in the Oct. 22 marathon on behalf of a charity partner, the program surpassed 2005 results of $6.3 million with a 30 percent increase in funds raised.

"Developing a program where charities can utilize our event as a conduit for fundraising has been a focus of ours for the last five years and the results have exceeded our greatest expectations," said LaSalle Bank Executive Vice President and LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Event Chairman Mark A. Nystuen. "While it has already been a tremendous success, we see great things in store for this program and its growth will continue to be a priority of the Marathon and the bank in the years ahead."

Since the formalization of the charity program in 2002, it has generated $27.5 million for a variety of causes. Among the 60 programs affiliated with the 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon are organizations that support disease research, educational programs and the development of healthy communities in Africa.

Along with the tremendous success of the charity program, the 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon experienced arguably one of the most successful events in its 29-year history despite challenges of cold temperatures and blustery winds on Sunday, Oct. 22. Since reaching its 40,000 participant cap in record time on May 26, the race continued to break its own records and generate positive results for its athletes, sponsors, spectators and the city of Chicago.

Among its many accomplishments, the 2006 marathon attracted nearly 7,000 international runners representing 123 countries, qualified 69 American athletes for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, drew 1.2 million spectators and generated economic benefits for the Chicago community and local businesses.

2008 U.S. Olympic Trial Qualifiers
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon continued to support the career development of American athletes aspiring to become members of the U.S. Olympic Team. Along with offering a flat, fast course complementary to posting top times, the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon once again offered bonus incentives for athletes meeting the standard to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. A total 69 American athletes qualified for the 2008 Trials which will be held in November, 2007 for the men and in April, 2008 for the women.

Twenty men qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials according to the "A" Standard (2:20:00) and 24 according to the "B" Standard (2:22:00). For the women, three qualified according to the Olympic "A" Standard (2:39:00) and 22 according to the "B" Standard (2:47:00).

Other Outstanding Performances
2006 champions Robert K. Cheruiyot (Kenya) and Berhane Adere (Ethiopia) continued to enhance the Race's reputation for hosting the world's greatest marathon talents. Cheruiyot led the men's field with a 2:07:35 finish time while Adere broke the tape in 2:20:42 to lead the women.

Among the elite women's field, four athletes set new national marathon records for their countries. Champion Adere bested the Ethiopian record with her winning time (2:20:42) followed by second-place finisher Galina Bogomolova with a Russian record 2:20:47. Third-place finisher Benita Johnson bested Australia's mark to 2:22:36 and Madai Perez Carrillo set a new record for Mexico with a time of 2:22:59.

Not too far behind these professional athletes was Amy Winters, 32, of Meadville, Penn. who broke a world record of her own. As the result of a 1994 motorcycle accident, Winters' left leg was amputated below the knee. She broke the world record for female below-the-knee amputees by posting a finish time of 3:04:16 on the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon course with the use of a prosthetic limb.

World Marathon Majors
At the midway point of its first two-year series, the World Marathon Majors was significantly impacted by results of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. The series of the five greatest marathons in the world includes the Chicago Race and will award its first $1 million purse next fall to be split equally among the male and female points leaders.

Athletes placing in the top five at each race earn points based on place so that each race has an equal weight on the series outcome. However, with his win in Chicago, men's champion Cheruiyot holds a commanding lead among the men with 50 total points. He won the Boston Marathon title in the spring and is the only competitor with two first-place finishes in 2006.

Chicago women's champion Adere also advanced significantly and is now tied for second among the women with a total of 30 points following her fourth-place finish at the Flora London Marathon in April. Adere was joined by Chicago runner-up Bogomolova as two of only four women to earn points at two World Marathon Majors races this year. Bogomolova finished fifth - just behind Adere again - in London last spring.

Popularity
The popularity of long distance running continues to escalate and that was evident from the marathon's open registration launch on Jan. 1, 2006. In less than five months, the field was closed after reaching its cap of 40,000 registrants - nearly five months in advance of the race.

Among the field of participants were almost 7,000 international runners and Americans representing each of the 50 states. On race day, a record 34,698 participants arrived at the start line with an all-time event record 33,633 crossing the finish line.

Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions and temperatures in the low 40s, 1.2 million spectators lined the 26.2-mile course to cheer on loved ones, witness the spectacle of 40,000 runners coursing through the city or gain the inspiration to take on the marathon challenge themselves - a challenge that continues to appeal to larger numbers each year.

City and Community
In September, the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon introduced a new multi-year initiative to green its course and operations. The first step was to address areas along the course designated as urban heat islands. More than 75 trees were planted along the race route in the West Loop neighborhood to combat higher summer temperatures by providing more vegetation and shade cover.

To support the marathon's greening initiative, the Chicago Streets and Sanitation Department increased their recycling efforts during race weekend. Ten trucks were added to the fleet this year exclusively for the separate collection of recyclable materials generated at the 17 aid stations along the course. More than 18.2 tons of recyclables were collected race weekend achieving a 34 percent recycling rate for the event.

Sponsors
The LaSalle Bank Health and Fitness Expo hosted 175 exhibitors featuring the latest in health and fitness from apparel to nutrition to equipment and technology. More than 125,000 visitors of all ages visited the free expo during its two-day run at McCormick Place Convention Center in advance of the race.

New Balance, official apparel sponsor of the marathon, embarked on a unique and first-ever promotion with the race in creating the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon running shoe. Both men's and women's versions featuring the event logo on the tongue and the course map on the insole were available for purchase in advance of the race and at New Balance's expanded official apparel retail space at the Health & Fitness Expo.

Marathon sponsor Starbucks hosted Runner Update Centers in 10 of its downtown locations on race day. Spectators visiting these locations could receive up-to-date information on specific runners from marathon staff stationed in the coffee shops with access to the electronic timing system.

30th Anniversary
On Oct. 7, 2007, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will host its 30th anniversary running. Registration is set to open on Monday, Jan. 1, 2007 at www.chicagomarathon.com