Saucony, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear, has announced the second annual selection of the "Saucony 26" to run the 2005 Chicago Marathon. Twenty-six people from communities in and around the Chicago Marathon racecourse have been selected based on their merits and contributions as individuals to the running community and to society. Each has a unique story and an important personal mission of competing in the arduous 26-mile trek.

"We wanted to recognize the passion for running and individualized sense of competition that is demonstrated by local participants in the Chicago Marathon -- from the suburban jogger to the weekend athlete to the elite runner -- as well as celebrate their different and intense motivations for running in this year's race," said John Fisher, CEO of Saucony. "We hope the "Saucony 26" participants and their stories will inspire others to accomplish goals in their lives."

Here is a sampling of a few individuals from the "Saucony 26":

Alan Robinson, Recovered Quadriplegic, Chicago, IL
After an automobile accident left him paralyzed in 1990, Alan Robinson, 52, thought he would never walk again. It took months of grueling rehabilitation to learn to take a few simple steps. Amazingly, those few steps have led today to Alan running his fifth 26-mile marathon. "I want to focus attention on people's abilities rather than disabilities," he says. "I felt a spiritual calling to let people know that miracles do happen, and I consider my recovery to be one." Alan is the second quadriplegic in history to run a marathon, and doesn't plan on ending his journey with this race. He hopes to one day run across the state of Illinois, and eventually the country.

Alan is running to raise money for the Spinal Cord Injury Association to provide support services for those who are paralyzed by trauma and conditions of the central nervous system.

Jennifer McDevitt, Office Manager, Palatine, IL
Jennifer McDevitt, 30, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2003. She is now ferociously training for her second Chicago Marathon with the same determination she embraced to face surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. "I tell the patients at our surgical practice about my brain cancer," she says. "I hope seeing me and how well I am motivates them to do whatever it takes to get better." Amidst working full time and raising her two-year- old son - "my inspiration" she calls him - Jennifer finds time to train with her husband, Glen and her brother, Chris Galloway. "Jennifer loves to make people happy," Chris says. "She deserves praise and honor for running this marathon."

Jennifer is running on behalf of the American Brain Tumor Association.

Steve Hughes, Downsized Federal Employee, Chicago, IL
Steve Hughes, a self-proclaimed "average guy", feared the degenerative osteoarthritis he has battled for 30 years would put an end to his running. But since starting a new treatment regimen, Steve, now 56, is thrilled to participate in his first Chicago Marathon. He says the toughest part of training so far has been the throbbing pain in his knees ^ a pain that at times not only renders him unable to run, but unable to walk or even sleep at night .Yet Steve finds inspiration in his two sons, one of whom recently returned from fighting in Iraq. "I would like to be an example for them and someday when they have children, I want them to be able to say, 'your granddad was good'"

Steve is running to raise funds for Fisher House, an organization that provides "a home away from home" for the families of wounded servicemen on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers.

Tim Onori, Printer & Susan Onori, Receptionist, Elgin, IL
Tim and Susan Onori, two reformed sofa spuds, are approaching the Chicago Marathon as they do everything else: as a team. Susan suffered a stroke on Memorial Day 2001 and later learned she'd also unknowingly had a prior heart attack. Tim stayed by her side throughout her recovery. He supported her again as the pair trained for the San Diego Marathon in 2004. A much faster runner, Tim kept to his wife's pace and they crossed the finish line together in 6:14. "Go for it - you'll be amazed at what you're capable of!!!" Team Onori advices first time marathoners. Tim, 49, and Susan are running their first Chicago Marathon to celebrate her 49th birthday, as well as to honor their niece who, at the age of 5, recently underwent her second open-heart surgery.

The Onoris are running on behalf of the American Stroke Association.

Kate Johnson, First Grade Teacher, Chicago, IL Kate Johnson caught Chicago's Marathon Fever when she moved to the city in 2001. Last year, though, she unfortunately fell ill on the eve of the race and was forced to miss what would have been her first marathon experience. So the 25-year-old is lacing up for this year's race with a vengeance. "I know I have to complete it and put my mind at rest," she says. Kate draws inspiration from her mother, who battled breast cancer and has been in remission for five years; and also from her students, who may come to school hungry, tired or just emotionally drained from their lives at home but always supply her with energy to spare!

Kate is raising money for the Visitation School's track and field team.

Each member of the "Saucony 26" will be provided with Saucony apparel and running shoes. They will also receive a cash bonus for every mile of the race that they complete and a number of team members will donate their Saucony checks to charitable causes.

*Erin Tamarkin of Chicago, IL is running with Team CARE, on behalf of The Alzheimer's Association.

*Rob Olds of Chicago, IL is running to raise funds for Sarah's Inn, a provider of services to victims of domestic violence and their children.

*Lauren Beznos of Chicago, IL is running to raise awareness and funds for Broadtree Adventures in Education, a non-profit outdoor adventure program for inner-city teens.

For more inforamtion, check out www.saucony.com/saucony26