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U.S. Olympian Deena Kastor Returns to the Road at 30th Anniversary Shamrock Shuffle
Press Release
March 23, 2009
CHICAGO, IL (March 23, 2009) After injury forced her to drop from the 2008 Beijing Olympic
Marathon field mid-race, decorated U.S. runner Deena Kastor will make her return to road racing on
Sunday, March 29 at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. In so doing, Kastor, 36, will return to
the site where she set the current American womens 8K record in 2005 (24:36).
After more than 6 months of recovery and training, I am so excited to race again, said Kastor from her
home in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. Chicago has a special place in my heart as a city where luck has been
on my side both at the 8K in 2005 and again later that year at the marathon distance. I look forward to
starting my 2009 racing season at the Shamrock Shuffle 8K. It is just my style to be in a race where there
is so much enthusiasm and excitement on the starting line.
Kastors 2005 Chicago appearance was preceded by her Olympic Marathon bronze medal performance in
the 2004 Athens Games. Her medal was the first for a U.S. woman in the marathon since Joan Benoit
(Samuelson) won the inaugural gold in 1984.
Following her 2005 Shamrock Shuffle performance, Kastor returned to Chicago in October to win the
Chicago Marathon in 2:21:25. The following spring she set the current American womens marathon
record with a 2:19:36 win at the Flora London Marathon.
Kastor will lead the 30th Anniversary Shamrock Shuffle field on Sunday, March 29 featuring 32,500
participants in the 8K run (30,000) and 5K Fitness Walk (2,500). The annual rite of spring for local
fitness enthusiasts begins and ends in Chicagos historic Grant Park.
In advance of the event, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo featuring more than 75 industry-related
exhibitors will take place at Navy Pier on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28. The Expo is free and
open to the public as is the event day race course. The event will conclude with its traditional post-race
party in Grant Park featuring live musical entertainment by Maggie Speaks.
More information on the event including course maps, street closures and how to get involved can be
found at shamrockshuffle.com.
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