From race press release.

Former Olympian Rod Dehaven Returns to Chicago

(CHICAGO) May 1, 2003---The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has increased its prize purse for the 2003 race to $550,000, while continuing with the highest first place payout of $100,000 to both the top male and female winner. The event continues to grown both in participation and stature and the purse increase is designed to keep the Chicago event as a leader among the major marathons.

In 2003, the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will have the highest guaranteed prize purse compared to all major marathons, including London, Boston, and New York. The total 2002 prize money payout, including guaranteed money and time bonuses, was $1,154,000 - the largest single payout ever for a marathon.

"The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon attracts an outstanding mix of world-class athletes and young developing American athletes because of our fast course, competitive field, and a prize structure that handsomely rewards the athletes," said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "The prize structure we've laid out is extremely attractive and has built in time bonuses for what the Chicago race has become known for, epic performances and historic times."

Included in the increase is $27,000 earmarked to reward top American finishers. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has seen quality performances and record-breaking times by top Americans.

"Chicago has become a great proving ground for American runners," added Pinkowski. "Several American runners have performed exceptionally well in Chicago, including great feats by Christy Johnston, Jerry Lawson, David Morris, Alan Culpepper, Deanna Drossin and of course Khalid Khannouchi."

Another top American that has performed well in Chicago is former Olympian Rod DeHaven. The former Olympian who set his personal best marathon time in Chicago with a 2:11:40 performance in the 2001 race, will be back for the 2003 race. DeHaven, 36, of Madison, Wis. sees the 2003 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon as a tune up for the Olympic Trials, which take place in Birmingham, Ala. in February.

"I'm excited to be coming back to the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon as I hope to use my performance there as a springboard to the U.S. Olympic Trials," said DeHaven. "I'll be eyeing a sub 2:12 time to obtain my Olympic "A" Qualifying Standard. Chicago has been terrific for me in the past and I'm looking forward to competing against some of the best marathoners in the world in preparation for my bid to be in the 2004 Olympics."

DeHaven started running track in the fourth grade and then went on to become a 16-time Division II All-American while attending South Dakota State University and eventually an Olympian. He won the 2000 U.S. Olympic Men's Marathon Trials (2:15:30), and because of qualifying standards, was the only American representative at the Sydney Olympic Marathon. In 2000 DeHaven took eighth place (28:48.9) at the U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000m and for the third time in his career, he captured the national title at the U.S. Half-Marathon Championships (01:03:06).

Also, during 2000, Track & Field News named DeHaven the number two marathon runner and number seventh 10,000m runner and Running Times named him the number one road racer in the country. 2001 was a good year for DeHaven, starting out with a fifth place finish (44:38) at the U.S. 15K Championships and then taking sixth at the Boston Marathon in 2:12:41. Ending the year DeHaven placed sixth with a personal best time of 2:11:40 at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. He holds the top two marathon performances by an American for 2001.

A two-time USA Road Racing Circuit Champion, Runner's World named him the number one American Road Racer in 1998 and 1999. DeHaven was the number one ranked American marathon runner for 2001 by Track and Field News. DeHaven works part time as a computer programmer and spends his free time with his wife, Shelli, and their three children.

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon takes place Sunday, October 12, 2003.

For more information, check out www.chicagomarathon.com