Posted: July 23, 2004

Athletics: Spangler To Run Chicago

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

Organizers of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, 10-Oct, announced today that U.S. masters record holder for the marathon, Jenny Spangler, would run their race for the second year in a row.

"It is definitely a special feeling to be running Chicago," said Spangler in a press release. "To know you are competing in one of the greatest marathons in the world is truly gratifying."

Spangler, who will run the race as a 41 year-old, lowered the U.S. over-40 record at Chicago last year to 2:32:39. The previous mark of 2:35:08 was set by Laurie Binder at the Twin Cities Marathon in 1991. Spangler was the 13th overall finisher in last year's race, the third American behind Colleen De Reuck (7th in 2:28:01) and Deeja Youngquist (10th in 2:29:01).

A resident of Gurnee, Ill., Spanger was a U.S. Olympian in 1996 after winning the Olympic Trials in a surprising solo run. She dropped out of the Olympic marathon later that year with an injury.