Posted: October 6, 2004

Athletics: Final Two Elite Athletes Solidify LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Women's Field

CHICAGO (October 5, 2004) - The 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon women's elite field is complete with the final additions of Derartu Tulu and Joyce Chepchumba. Tulu, in her debut appearance in Chicago, and Chepchumba, two-time LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon winner, will certainly challenge the lead pack with their impressive road records in long-distance running.

"I am very excited to have Joyce returning to our race and Derartu making her first appearance in Chicago. They are, without a doubt, two extraordinary additions to our elite women's field," stated Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "I had the chance to see Derartu while I was in Athens this summer and she looks to be in great shape. They both will solidify and add tremendous depth to our already competitive women's field."

Derartu Tulu, 32, a three-time Olympian, became the first African woman gold medalist, winning the 10,000m at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, with a time of 32:08.74. At the 1996 Olympic Games, Tulu placed a disappointing fourth, falling just short of a medal in the 10,000m.

But in 2000 at the Sydney Olympic Games, Tulu bounced back. Taking the lead on the final lap of the 10,000m, she sprinted for a sound victory over teammate Gete Wami. With that victory, Tulu became the first woman ever to win two gold medals in distance racing. Since 2001, Tulu remained successful placing in several races. Most recently, while participating in the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, she won the bronze in the marathon. Tulu hasn't run in the U.S. since her debut in the 1997 Boston Marathon, where she placed fifth.

"As a full-fledged marathoner, it will give me a thrill to run another marathon in the U.S." commented Derartu Tulu, "I consider Chicago one of the greatest and fastest marathons in the world, and look forward to Race Day and believe I will give my best."

Joyce Chepchumba, 34, the 1998 and 1999 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Champion, remains one of the most successful women's runners in the Marathon's history. Also an Olympic medalist, Chepchumba won bronze in the marathon at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

This year, she set a personal best winning the Lisbon Half-Marathon in a time of 1:08:11. Only a week later, went on to win the Berlin Half-Marathon with a time of 1:09:49. Also this year, Chepchumba, a mark of consistency, continued her seven year streak at the London Marathon, running 2:28:01 or quicker in each marathon she has participated in since 1997.

The race website is at: www.chicagomarathon.com.

From Chicago Marathon.