Last year's first and second place finishers look to challenge world record; Evans Rutto signs 2-year agreement to compete in Chicago

CHICAGO, IL - Evans Rutto performed in last year's LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon as if he was ready to claim the streets of Chicago from veteran marathoner Khalid Khannouchi. Rutto will look to improve on his world record marathon debut time of 2:05:50 in the 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

Rutto and race officials reached agreement that will bring the 25-year-old Kenyan back to run the streets of Chicago and to chase the marathon world record at the 2004 and 2005 Chicago marathons. Rutto experienced such strong support and encouragement from the spectators that lined the 26.2-mile course that he is eager to defend his title.

"Last year I was overwhelmed by the support of the people of Chicago and very much enjoyed the beautiful city and the fast course," said Rutto. "All of these things encourage me to be at the starting line again this year and I am more than happy to return to Chicago to defend my title. Having achieved great results last year in my debut marathon has inspired me to work hard to keep this tradition alive."

Rutto was an underdog coming into last year's marathon. His longest distance prior to his debut was the half-marathon. But Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski, who has a long track- record for discovering and developing athletes, saw amazing potential in Rutto and convinced him to make his marathon debut in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon last year.

"Evans' victory in the 2003 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon follows in the tradition of other great Chicago Champions, Steve Jones, Ondoro Osoro, and Khalid Khannouchi, commented Pinkowski. "These athletes converted great track credentials and pure athletic ability into world leading performances in the marathon. Evans just scratched the surface of the marathon in 2003."

Pinkowski feels Rutto could challenge the world record, especially with the new design of the 26.2-mile route. "He ran well within himself, defeated a strong field, and made the marathon distance look easy last year. I believe he could have gone a minute faster if he needed too. His 2:05:50 effort illustrates that the redesigned LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon route is designed to host a world record attempt on October 10 this year."

Rutto ran the eighth fastest 10,000m in the world in June, 2000 (27:31:32), setting a personal record. He continued his outstanding performance at the 2001 Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K where he surged ahead of the lead group near the finish to win in 28:30, ahead of James Koskei (28:32) and defending champion Joseph Kimani (28:35). Rutto also won the 2001 Wharf to Wharf 6 mile and finished second in the Clarksburg 10K. He took third in the 2001 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile (46:26) and the Lisbon Half-Marathon (1:01:30). He also has run well in 2003.

Also returning to compete in the 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is second-place finisher and fellow Kenyan Paul Koech. Koech, 34, who also made his marathon debut at last year's race finished just over a minute behind Rutto with a 2:07:07 performance, Koech has had a successful career and he will look to improve on his debut time in this year's race.

Early in Paul Koech's career, he won a bronze medal at the 1995 All-African Games 10,000m. His career continued to excel, and in 1997, he set a personal best in the 3000m at the IAAF Grand Prix in Monaco and a personal best in the 10,000m at the IASF Grand Prix in Brussels. He went on to win the Dam to Dam 10 miles in 44:45. In 1998, he won the World Half-Marathon in 1:00:01, achieving a personal best for 13.1 miles. Koech's prestigious record continues. He took first in the 2002 Kenyan Armed Forces 12K Cross Country Championships. He finished third at the 2002 Crescent City 10K and won the Military Cross Country Championships in Rwanda. This past July, Koech finished fourth at the Utica Boilermaker 15K and second at the Falmouth 7.1-miler.

"Paul is another very talented athlete who has potential to be one of best in the business. As fellow Kenyan's, Paul and Evans have a friendly rivalry that will certainly make this year's LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon very exciting. Since Evans and Paul both now have marathon experience, I look for even stronger performances from both of them at this year's race," added Pinkowski.

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. Last year's race attracted the maximum 40,000 participants.

Runners may register online at www.chicagomarathon.com until September 2, 2004, or when the participation capacity has been reached (whichever comes first). Race weekend entries will not be accepted. Printed entry forms for mail-in registration will be available in the spring of this year.

Evans Rutto RACE HIGHLIGHTS:
(YEAR, PL, TIME, EVENT)

2003 3rd N/A Steamboat 4 Mile
2003 3rd 28:38 Peachtree 10K
2003 2nd 43:24 Boilermaker 15K
2002 2nd N/A Fairfield Half-Marathon
2002 1st N/A Wharf to Wharf 6 Mile
2002 3rd 28:19 Beach to Beacon 10K
2001 2nd N/A San Sebastian Cross Country
2001 1st N/A Maliano Cross Country
2001 3rd 1:01:30 Lisbon Half-Marathon
2001 3rd 46:26 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile
2001 2nd N/A Vancouver Sun Rock 10K
2001 2nd 28:31 Greater Clarksburg 10K
2001 1st 27:16 Wharf to Wharf 6 Mile
2001 1st 28:30 Beach to Beacon 10K, Cape Elizabeth
2000 2nd N/A Elgoibar Cross Country
2000 3rd N/A San Sebastian Cross Country
2000 3rd 7:36:38 IAAF Grand Prix, Athens 3000m
2000 2nd 13:02:71 Nurnberg 5000m
2000 3rd 27:21:32 Lille 10,000m
2000 1st 13:34 CVS Downtown 5K
2000 2nd 28:36 US 10K Classic
2000 1st N/A Le Figaro Cross Country
2000 1st N/A Alcobendas Cross Country
2000 1st N/A Canillejas 10K
2000 1st N/A Cross International de Sud Ouest
2000 1st N/A Cross du Figaro 10K
2000 1st N/A Alcobendas Cross Country
1999 1st 28:38 Giro Mediablenio Acquarossa 10K
1999 3rd N/A Cross de L'Acier, Dunkerque
1999 2nd 28:06:60 Zatopek Meeting 10,000m

Paul Koech RACE HIGHLIGHTS:
(YEAR, PL, TIME, EVENT)

2003 2nd 61:57 Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon
2003 2nd 32:11 Falmouth 7.1-Miler
2003 4th 28:10 Beach to Beacon 10K
2003 3rd 43:31 Boilermaker 15K
2003 2nd 28:29 Peachtree 10K
2003 2nd 34:17 Lilac Bloomsday
2003 2nd 28:22 Cleveland 10K
2003 1st N/A Vancouver Sun Run 10K
2003 5th N/A World Cross Country Championships 12K
2003 2nd N/A Kenyan Cross Country Championships 12K
2002 1st N/A Military Cross Country Championships, Rwanda
2002 3rd 27:59 Crescent City Classic 10K
2002 1st N/A Kenyan Armed Forces 12k Cross Country
2000 1st N/A Kenyan Armed Forces Cross Country
1999 4th 13:07:93 IAAF Grand Prix II St Denis 5000m
1999 1st 27:42 10K Parelloop Brunssum
1998 1st 60:01 World Half-Marathon
1998 1st N/A Kenyan Armed Forces 1000m
1997 1st 44:45 Dam to Dam 10 Miles
1997 2nd 12:56:59 IAAF Grand Prix, Berlin 5000m
1997 2nd 26:36.26 IAAF Grand Prix, Brussels 10,000m
1997 2nd 13:00:13 IAAF Grand Prix, Stockholm 5000m
1997 1st 28:03:02 Kenyan Armed Forces 10,000m
1997 1st 27:57 Cooper River 10K
1996 3rd 13:00:67 IAAF Grand Prix Final 5000m
1996 3rd 26:56:78 IAAF Grand Prix, Brussels 10,000m
1996 6th 13:00:22 IAAF Grand Prix, Zurich 5000m
1996 6th 27:35:19 Olympic Games
1996 1st 60:31 L'Humarathon International Half- Marathon
1996 2nd 28:21:55 Kenyan Armed Forces Championships 10,000m
1995 3rd N/A All African Games 10,000m
1995 1st 46:36 Erewash Classic 10 Miles