Where Your Dreams Become Reality
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Where Your Dreams Become Reality |
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Evans Rutto Back to Defend His 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Title Organizers of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon announced this morning that Evans Rutto of Kenya and Constantina Tomescu-Dita of Romania, who won that 42.195 km road race last year, plan to return and defend their titles on October 9. Rutto, 27, has won the last two editions of this marathon. In 2003, making his marathon debut, he was a shocking upset winner in 2:05:50, the fastest-ever by a debutant. He rallied to win going away in last year's edition in 2:06:16. "I am always overwhelmed by the support and excitement of the people in Chicago," said Rutto in a press release. "After protecting my win last year, I hope to keep up the winning tradition." Tomescu-Dita, 35, who won by nearly a minute last year in 2:23:45, will have to make a quick comeback from her World Championships bronze medal in the marathon 18 days ago. There are just 56 days between the World Championships marathon in Helsinki and the race in Chicago, but Tomescu-Dita is undeterred. "This year, I will have to pay close attention to the other runners as I again face strong competition," she said. "I am hoping to set a new personal best and to lower my current Romanian national record of 2:22:50." Executive race director Carey Pinkowski is clearly pleased to have Rutto and Tomescu-Dita back in Chicago, where the flat course and cool weather promote the achievement of fast times. "Evans and Constantina both bring to the race a brave front-running style that often defines the competition," he said. Top athletes will be competing for a share of a $650,000 prize money purse, plus generous bonuses paid for fast times.
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Cross Country Spikes 10% off Injured?
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