Chicago, IL---(June 26, 2003)---The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has selected Chicago Athlete Magazine to be the official program for the fall race. For the next three years, Chicago Athlete Magazine will dedicate its October issues as the one stop source for all official information for the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

This year's official program will include all information related to the race from elite athlete profiles, course map, prize money, 2002 photo highlights, Health and Fitness Expo schedule and listing of exhibitors, to marathon fun facts and more.

"We are pleased to be partnered with the premier marathon in North America and are excited to have our October issue of Chicago Athlete Magazine serve as the Official Program of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon," said Eliot Wineberg, Publisher of Chicago Athlete Magazine.

Copies of the October issue of Chicago Athlete Magazine are available free of charge and can be picked up at specialty running and bicycle stores, health clubs and sports medicine facilities throughout the city and suburbs. In addition, every marathon participant will get a copy in their goody bag and CARA members will get theirs mailed to them directly.

"Chicago Athlete Magazine is a great addition to the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon," stated Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "Chicago Athlete Magazine is clearly the top magazine in the city for runners and I am certain many of our participants will be pleased to see our official program in this magazine."

Chicago Athlete Magazine, founded in 1987, has a distribution network of 75,000 for it's October issue and is the most comprehensive source of information for runners, triathletes, cyclists and other active sports participants in the Chicagoland area. For more information check out www.chicagoaa.com

The 2003 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon begins Sunday, October 12 at 8 a.m., starting and finishing in Chicago's Grant Park and is expected to draw up to the increased registration cap of 40,000 participants. Elite athletes will compete this fall for the highest marathon purse ever, $550,000. The male and female winners each will earn $100,000, the largest first place payout in the sport. For more information, check out www.chicagomarathon.com

For additional questions, contact Shawn Platt with The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon at shawn.platt@abn amro.com or Brenda Barrera with Chicago Athlete Magazine at brenda@chicagoaa. com 847-675-0200 x208.