FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Past Chicago Champions and Running Legends Steve Jones,
Joan Benoit Samuelson, Constantina Dita and Deena Kastor
Return to Chicago to Celebrate Inaugural International Chicago 5K
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that past
champions and legendary runners Steve Jones, Joan Benoit Samuelson,
Constantina Dita and Deena Kastor will return to Chicago to be part of the
excitement of race weekend and celebrate the inaugural International
Chicago 5K on Saturday, October 8.
"Steve, Joan, Constantina and Deena are global running icons who have
inspired a generation of runners," said Carey Pinkowski, Bank of America
Chicago Marathon executive race director. "I watched all of these athletes
run bravely and become champions on our city streets. It is an honor to
welcome them back to Chicago to celebrate our city's cultural diversity
with the International Chicago 5K."
The International Chicago 5K was born out of a desire to celebrate both
Chicago's international zest and the allure of running in a world-class
city. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon annually welcomes more than
10,000 runners from over 100 countries. While the Chicago Marathon is
widely recognized on the global stage for its international competition and
distinct course that winds through 29 culturally diverse neighborhoods, the
city of Chicago is a global gateway and international hub for business and
tourism. Chicago is home to the largest and most active sister cities
organization in the United States, having established official
relationships with 28 cities in almost every region in the world.
Throughout its storied history, the Chicago Marathon, acclaimed as one of
the fastest marathons in the world, has witnessed four world records,
multiple epic duels down the homestretch, and some of the sport's greatest
legends take its crown. Steve Jones, renowned as the British athlete who
took marathon running to a new level, arrived in Chicago in 1984 to break
the marathon world record. Despite cold temperatures and a steady rain
downpour, Jones moved to the front of the field and never looked back. He
stopped the clock in 2:08:05. He returned in 1985 to take the men’s field
out in 4:43 pace, reaching the halfway mark in 1:01:42, something
considered disrespectful to the distance in the mid-1980s. Jones held on to
win in 2:07:13 - missing the world record by one second.
Like Jones, American Joan Benoit Samuelson, one of the most accomplished
runners in the history of the sport, won the 1985 Chicago Marathon. She
faced one of the most competitive women's fields in event history,
including world record-holder Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway and defending
Chicago Marathon champion Rosa Mota of Portugal. Benoit Samuelson outran
her competitors, setting an American and course record of 2:21:21, and
missing the world record by just 15 seconds. Benoit Samuelson's American
record stood until 2003, when Deena Kastor finally broke it.
Constantina Dita, a Romanian running legend, made her Chicago Marathon
debut in 2003, finishing second in 2:23:35. She returned in 2004 in the
women's elite field, dominating the chase pack from start to finish to win
in 2:23:45. She came back to defend her title in 2005, but in spite of a
hard charge toward the finish line, she failed to catch American running
icon Deena Kastor. Dita, then the 2005 World Championship bronze medalist
in the marathon, clocked 2:21:30, a personal best and a still-standing
national record.
Deena Kastor took command of Chicago streets in 2005 when she defeated
defending champion Dita. In spite of a 40-second lead with seven miles
remaining, she almost lost the race. As her body faltered from the fast
pace, Dita barreled down Columbus Drive - coming within strides of catching
her competitor. Kastor won by five seconds - missing the American record by
only four seconds. At the 2006 Virgin Money London Marathon, she became the
first (and only) American woman to break the 2:20 barrier en route to her
American record victory in 2:19:36. Kastor returned to Chicago last fall to
commemorate the 10-year anniversary of her win; she did it by breaking
Colleen De Reuck's American masters record by 53 seconds, running 2:27:47.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 39th year, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomes thousands
of runners from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a
world-class elite field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans,
debut marathoners and charity runners. The race's iconic course takes
runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural
tour of Chicago. In 2015, an estimated 1.7 million spectators lined the
streets, cheering on 37,459 runners from the start line to the final
stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race’s national and
international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of
dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $254 million in
annual economic impact to its host city. The 2016 Bank of America Chicago
Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and
finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 9. In
advance of the race, a two-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at
McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 7, and Saturday,
October 8. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go
to chicagomarathon.com.
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