Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:35 PM

Registration Hits 30,000, Expected To Close At 40,000 Soon

CHICAGO (May 16, 2006) – The 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon now has 30,000 participants registered and is expected to hit its capacity of 40,000 runners in record time. At its current rate, registration will close during the first week of June, more than a month in advance of the mark set in 2005. Last year, registration officially closed at 40,000 participants on July 14.

According to Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski, “This increase in advance registration clearly illustrates the popularity and the value the running community sees in being part of the Chicago Marathon experience -- the demand and response has been humbling and gratifying. In its first year, the Chicago Marathon hosted just over 4,000 runners. We now register a field of 40,000, attract 1.5 million spectators, raise more than $6 million for 60 charities and assemble a world-class elite field that will chase not only our $650,000 prize purse, but the $1 million offering from the inaugural series of the World Marathon Majors. This is an extremely exciting time for our sport and we are eagerly anticipating our 29th run on October 22.”

Runners interested in participating in The 29th LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon are encouraged to submit their online applications as soon as possible. Registration for the event will close once 40,000 participants are registered. Registration can be completed at ChicagoMarathon.com.

The 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will take place Sunday, October 22, starting and finishing in Chicago’s historic Grant Park. The Race will be broadcast live on CBS 2 CHICAGO and WSCR-AM The Score 670.

Elite athletes will compete for a portion of the highest prize purse in the sport ($650,000), while also competing in the World Marathon Majors, a series of the five most prestigious marathons in the world. The complete field of 40,000 athletes will represent all 50 states and more than 122 countries.

Runners may still register online at chicagomarathon.com until the participation cap of 40,000 has been reached. The entrance fee for the Marathon is $90 for U.S. runners and $100 for international runners.

The Health & Fitness Expo will take place Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21, 2006 at McCormick Place. The weekend will include more than 150 exhibitors featuring the newest designs in running gear and shoes, as well as the latest developments in sports, fitness and nutrition.