Long-term Agreement Brings Chicago's Most Famous Marathoner Back Home

Chicago, IL (May 19, 2004---The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will once again be home to the world's most recognizable marathoner, Khalid Khannouchi. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and Khannouchi have reached an agreement that will bring him to the streets of Chicago for the next four years.

The four-year deal calls for Khannouchi to participate exclusively in Chicago among all fall marathons and will give him the opportunity to compete for the world record on a course he has dominated over the years.

With four first-place finishes in Chicago, including a World Record in 1999 and an American Record in 2002, Khannouchi has become synonymous with the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. His dominance and epic performances on the 26.2 mile route is one of the great sports stories in Chicago.

Khannouchi withdrew from last year's Chicago marathon due to injury. After months of treatment and rest, Khannouchi just finished his first phase of altitude training and feels better than he has in years--he is focused squarely on a top performance in Chicago.

"I have been in intense training for the past 8 weeks and now feel that I can compete at the level I expect of myself for a full marathon," stated Khannouchi. "Chicago is where I started my marathon career and I couldn't think of any other place where I'd like to make my comeback. I have a goal in mind and I believe Chicago is just the place I need to be to achieve that goal."

Khannouchi will have tough competition the next few years as last year's defending champion, Evans Rutto of Kenya, announced earlier this year that he will run Chicago the next two years. Khannouchi tends to perform at his best when faced with challenges and tough competition. The 2002 London Marathon proves just that as he overcame one of the strongest marathon fields ever assembled to lower his own World Record with a 2:05:38 victory.

The dramatic race included Khannouchi passing two of the greatest distance runners ever - Paul Tergat and Haile Gebreselassie - in the final two miles. Khannouchi's London victory was also redemption of sorts. He finished third in the 2000 London Marathon in 2:08:36, missed the 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with injuries and dropped out of the 2001 World Championships marathon due to severe foot blisters.

Last year was much the same for Khannouchi as his injuries kept him from competing in Chicago and the U.S. Olympic Trials, but if history repeats itself, Khannouchi could be at his best ever in 2004.

"Khalid Khannouchi is one of the most determined athletes I have ever come across," added Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "He thrives in Chicago and he loves this city. His injuries are behind him and his preparation for this year's race is going extremely well."

When asked when a world record might return to Chicago, Pinkowski noted it has been over a year since Paula Radcliffe shocked the world with her then 2:17:18 World Record and he responded frankly: "I fully expect that the new LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon route is designed to host a world record attempt on October 10 this year."

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 chicagomarathon.com until September 3, 2004, or when the participation capacity of 40,000 has been reached (whichever comes first). Race weekend entries will not be accepted. Printable entry forms for mail-in registration are available online at chicagomarathon.com.

KHALID KHANNOUCHI
Age: 32
Date of Birth: December 22, 1971
Born: Meknes, Morocco
Resides: Ossining, New York
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 120
Coach: Sandra Khannouchi
Agent: Sandra Khannouchi
Affiliation: New Balance

PERSONAL RECORDS:
Race Type Time Place Date Location
5K 13:24 2nd September, 1997 Providence, RI
10K 27:45 1st July, 1999 Atlanta, GA
Half-Marathon 1:00:27 1st September, 1997 Philadelphia, PA
Marathon 2:05:38 1st April, 2002 London, England

CAREER
Khalid Khannouchi holds the American Record and is a former World Record holder in the marathon. He is also a four-time LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon champion.

Khannouchi's four record-setting Chicago performances have made his name synonymous with The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Starting with his 1997 debut in Chicago, he earned not only a victory but also set a then record for first-time marathoners (2:07:10). He returned to Chicago in 1998 to take second in 2:07:19, but he came back in 1999 to put his name in the record books for the first time, producing a then World Record of 2:05:42. After becoming an American citizen (originally a Moroccan citizen) in May of 2000, Khannouchi returned to win his third LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and set a then American marathon record of 2:07:01.

In 2002 Khannouchi overcame one of the strongest marathon fields ever assembled to lower his own World Record in a victory at the London Marathon in 2:05:38. The dramatic race included Khannouchi passing two of the greatest distance runners ever - Paul Tergat and Haile Gebreselassie - in the final two miles. Khannouchi's London victory was also redemption of sorts. He finished third in the 2000 London Marathon in 2:08:36, missed the 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with injuries and dropped out of the 2001 World Championships marathon due to severe foot blisters. Also in 2002, Khannouchi won two Half-Marathons, Kyoto City Half-Marathon in 1:02:16 and the San Blas Half-Marathon in 1:03:37.

In October 2002, Khannouchi returned to Chicago to win the 25th Anniversary LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Competing in a very impressive elite field, Khannouchi went head-to-head with Paul Tergat, Ben Kimondiu and Abdelkader El Mouaziz. It was Toshinari Takaoka who broke out from the pack and took a 21 second lead at mile 23. Khannouchi launched a tremendous kick and caught Takaoka by mile 25 and passed him to take the lead. He than kept his furious pace over the last two-and-a-half miles to win The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon for the fourth time in 2:05:56, becoming the only marathoner with three sub-2:06 performances.

Khalid was scheduled to run The 2003 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, but had to pull out due to injury. Khalid and wife Sandra, who is also his coach and agent, live in Ossining, NY.

RACE HIGHLIGHTS:
Year Place Time Race Name 2002 1st 2:05:56 The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
2002 1st 2:05:38 London Marathon
2002 1st 1:02:16 Kyoto City Half-Marathon
2002 1st 1:03:37 San Blas Half-Marathon
2001 2nd 28:28 World's Best 10K
2001 1st 29:36 Abraham Rosa 10K
2000 1st 2:07:01 The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
2000 1st 1:01:17 Jefferson Hospital Half-Marathon
2000 3rd 31:47 Falmouth Road Race 11.27K
2000 5th 28:39 Beach to Beacon 10K
2000 3rd 2:08:36 London Marathon
2000 1st 28:35 World's Best 10K
2000 1st 1:05:01 San Blas Half-Marathon
1999 1st 2:05:42 The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
1998 2nd 2:07:19 The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
1997 1st 2:07:10 The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
1993 1st 14:01:32 World University Games 5K