This Sunday's 27th Chicago Distance Classic 20K and the University of Illinois Medical Center 5K will be spiced up in many ways, including prize money. Race organizers announced on Monday the purse, which includes money and merchandise in the 20K and 5K for both open and masters runners.

Male and female champions in the 20K will receive $500 each plus $500 in Saucony gear and $50 gift certificates from Fleet Feet Chicago. Runners-up will receive packages of $250-$250-$25, while third-place finishers will earn $100-$100-$25.

Masters winners (age 40 and over) will earn $250 in cash, $100 in Saucony equipment and $25 Fleet Feet certificates. 5K winners will receive no money but $250 in Saucony gear. For complete prize money/gear/certificate breakdowns, see below.

In other CDC news on Monday, David Babner, co-owner of John Bingham Racing, which owns the race, announced there has been some "tweaking of the course" to meet the wishes of the city. Some of the race will be on Lower Wacker Drive to eliminate the need for as many police officers as originally planned. "There just aren't enough police available," Babner said. Final measuring and USATF course certification took place over the weekend.

It is too early to assess the field, but at least one top runner from out of the area, South African native Theresa Du Toit, is planning to run. Du Tuit, 30, based in New Jersey, has run two PRs in 2003, 33:37 in the 10K and 51:45 for 15K. She has a half-marathon best of 1:15:05, set in 2001.

Race time is 7 a.m. for the 20K, which is on the Chicago Area Runners Association Circuit for the first time since 1997. Wheelchair racers will start ahead of the runners at 6:55 a.m. The 5K run/walk starts at 7:20. Babner said more than 4,000 runners are expected for the two races.

Here is the prize money information. Money is being put up by Jamba Juice. Gear is courtesy of Saucony, and gift certificates are courtesy of Fleet Feet Sports Chicago.

Event - 20K (Male and Female) Cash Saucony Gear Fleet Feet Total Value
Overall 1st Place..........$500..........$500..........$50..........$1050
Overall 2nd Place..........$250..........$250..........$25..........$525
Overall 3rd Place..........$100..........$100..........$25..........$225
*Bonus: $500 for a State Record in the 20K
**Bonus: $500 for a US Record in the 20K

Masters -20K (Male and Female)
1st Place..........$250..........$100..........$25..........$375
2nd Place..........$100..........$100..........$25..........$225
3rd Place..........$50..........$50..........$25..........$125

5K Overall (Male and Female)
Overall 1st Place..........$250 (Saucony gear)
Overall 2nd Place.......... $100
Overall 3rd Place..........$50

Masters 5K(Male and Female)
1st Place..........$75 (Saucony gear)
2nd Place..........$50
3rd Place..........$25

STATE RECORDS
* Alberto Salazar, July 8, 1984, 1:00:49
*Sarah Linsley, Nov. 11, 1981, 1:11:35

U.S. RECORDS
** Paul Cummings, March 15, 1987, 59:13
** Trina Painter, Nov. 11, 1981, 1:07:07

For more race information, go to www.chicagodistanceclassic.com