CHICAGO -- In conjunction with next month's LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, the LaSalle Bank Mural has changed its imagery to a dynamic rendering of dozens of runners shedding their street clothes to reveal running gear and marathon bibs.

From a fireman to a doctor to a chef, a range of professions are referenced in the design that is intended to show how average people become heroes when achieving their goals: in this instance, completing the 26.2 mile LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. For the one million friends, family members and marathon enthusiasts who line the streets of Chicago on race day, both the first-time and seasoned runners participating in the race can be seen as everyday heroes.

"For the past four years, the autumn LaSalle Bank Mural execution has focused on the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon," commented Mark A. Nystuen, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of LaSalle Bank Corporation. "With thousands of runners traveling to Chicago from 96 countries and all 50 states, the Mural serves as a highly visible welcome to our city."

"The Mural is a great representation of the spirit and excitement of race day," said Carey Pinkowski, executive director of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. "In addition to our core group of elite athletes running the race this year, there are thousands of everyday athletes training for months to accomplish this significant goal. I think that message is captured well in this new Mural."

The design covers the north, south and east walls of a warehouse building adjacent to the Kennedy Expressway between Armitage and North Avenues in Chicago. The current Mural was created by BBDO/Chicago (LaSalle Bank's agency of record) and will be up throughout the month of October.

The 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon takes place Sunday, October 10 starting and finishing in Chicago's Grant Park. The race will be broadcast live on CBS 2 CHICAGO and ESPN 1000 beginning at 8 a.m. Elite athletes will compete for a portion of the $650,000 prize purse, the highest in the sport. Registration for this year's race is closed as the cap of 40,000 was reached. Visit chicagomarathon.com for more information.