World Marathon Majors Series Continues at Chicago Marathon

Inaugural World Marathon Majors Series Continues at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Sunday

CHICAGO - (Oct. 17, 2006) - Three down, two to go. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, taking place on Sunday, Oct. 22, will be the fourth of five world class events that constitute the World Marathon Majors series. With the Boston and Flora London races having taken place in the spring and the real,- Berlin Marathon having been run on Sept. 24, the World Marathon Majors series is now at the stage where things get truly interesting.

The World Marathon Majors constitutes a collaboration between the world's five leading marathons - ING New York City, on Nov. 5, being the fifth - with a $1,000,000 prize purse divided between the man and woman accumulating the most series points over a two-year span. 2006 being the inaugural year of the series, winners will be decided at the end of the 2007 season. Thereafter, the series cycles proceed as follows: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, etc., meaning that the World Marathon Majors champions will be crowned at the conclusion of each year.

With just two races left in the 2006 season, there is still everything to race for and points aplenty to be secured. At the present time, Robert Cheruiyot (KEN, 1st - Boston), Felix Limo (KEN, 1st - Flora London) and Haile Gebrselassie (ETH, 1st - real,- Berlin) are tied at the head of the men's leader board with 25 points each, while Rita Jeptoo (KEN, 1st - Boston), Deena Kastor (USA, 1st - Flora London) and Gete Wami (ETH, 1st - real,- Berlin) each have 25 points atop the women's standings. Leading they may be, but each of these world class competitors knows that leading and winning are very different, and there is still a long way to go before the inaugural World Marathon Majors title is secured.

Much will be revealed this weekend in Chicago, a race that has gained a heightened element of intrigue with the unfortunate withdrawal due to a back injury of defending men's champion, Flora London winner and World Marathon Majors co-leader, Limo.

Unquestionably, this is a great disappointment to the Chicago race. Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski commented, "Felix is a great champion and I am confident that he will recover and be back stronger than ever. He is always welcome here and we will make every effort to bring him back to Chicago in 2007."

Limo's withdrawal does, however, boost the intensity of the clash between those who will toe the line, among them 2006 Boston winner and co-World Marathon Majors points leader, Cheruiyot; Chicago's 2005 runner-up, Benjamin Maiyo (KEN) and Daniel Njenga (KEN). Should a Cheruiyot / Maiyo showdown evolve, it would constitute a re-match of the battle that took place on the streets of Boston in April. The appearance of Njenga poses an equally interesting prospect, he having placed second, third, second and third in his four Chicago appearances. This could be the year that he claims the victory and stakes his claim for the World Marathon Majors prize money. Two-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman and Brian Sell lead the U.S. men's contingent.

As intense as the men's race in Chicago will be, the women are not about to allow themselves to be overlooked. The 2005 edition, with Constantina Tomescu-Dita (ROM) closing rapidly on ultimate winner, Kastor, along the home stretch, was an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Kastor of Team Running USA will race at the upcoming ING New York City Marathon, but Tomescu-Dita has shown that she is coming to Chicago with all guns loaded, intent on retaining the crown she first won in 2004. At the IAAF World Road Racing Championships in Debrecen, Hungary on Oct. 8, the Romanian placed second over the 20K distance, but also dipped under the old world record, recording a stunning 1:03:23. Such a performance indicates that she may be knocking on the door of a sub-2:20 clocking on Sunday.

No matter how fast she runs, however, Tomescu-Dita is assured of company. Packing the field are stars such as Berhane Adere (ETH), Galina Bogomolova (RUS), Benita Johnson (AUS), Lidia Simon (ROM), Nuta Olaru (ROM) and the evergreen Colleen De Reuck (USA).

source ChicagoMarathon

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