The Lakeshore Marathon is back for a second run this Sunday, May 25, with a 6 a.m. start planned in Burnham Field, just southeast of Lakeside Center at McCormick Place. The 26.2-miler has a new course this year, mostly hugging the lakefront, taking advantage of the existing path and trail system. The loop course features Burnham Park, Grant Park and Lincoln Park. The finish is just north of the start, right along the lake.

According to race founder and director Mark Cihlar, a field of more than 1,000 participants has signed up for the event. On-line registration closed at noon on Wednesday, but it's not too late to sign up in person this weekend.

"The Lakeshore Marathon is a grass roots, running event that does not offer prize money or solicit the participation of elite athletes," the race's Web site states. "This is a people's marathon designed for runners to feel the connection between the world's most dramatic skyline and the natural wonders of Lake Michigan, while running in an acclaimed urban park."

Last year, Francisco Tomas (2:34:50) of Alto Pass, IL, and Christen Meyer (3:08:43) of LaGrange were the men's and women's winners. It is not known if Tomas will return to defend his title. Meyer ran Boston this year and was the top Illinois female finisher. She said Tuesday she would not be running Lakeshore on Sunday.

The race is being staged more than a month later than it was last year. Cihlar is hoping the change to a later date has eased concerns about the weather. Last year, the race was run on a raw April day with 41 degree temperatures, 93 percent humidity, on-and-off rain, east winds at 19-25 mph and waves from Lake Michigan splashing the runners on one section of the course.

Sunday's forecast calls for a chance of showers with lows in the high 40s and highs in the low 60s.

Runners who complete the course will receive finisher's T-shirts, medals that are made of 70 percent to 90 percent recycled materials and a tree seedling to plant at home.

Vertel's Running and Fitness, 24 South Michigan Ave., (across from The Art Institute) is hosting last-minute registration as well as packet and ChampionChip pick-up from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 23 and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 24. Elite masters runner Eddy Hellebuyck, the first American finisher at the Boston Marathon, will be in the store at 6 p.m. on Saturday and might run part of the race as a workout, according to Vertel's owner Phil Blumenfield.

For more information, call 773-765-9030, or go to
www.lakeshoremarathon.com