2003 LAKESHORE MARATHON READY TO RUN, LAUNCHES LAKESHORE MARATHON FOUNDATION

MAY 24, 2003

CHICAGO, IL USA – The 2003 Chicago Lakeshore Marathon is on schedule for 6AM Sunday morning, May 25, 2003. Director Mark Cihlar today announced that Illinois’ only spring marathon, 26.2 miles staged entirely in the Chicago Parks District along Chicago’s beautiful lake shore, will host more than 1000 runners from around the United States and many foreign countries. Cihlar also announced the launch of The Lakeshore Marathon Foundation, a services delivery not-for-profit organization that will coordinate in business and economic development, technology, job training, and support services to give back to the Chicago communities the race runs through.

“We’re excited to have endurance runners from all over joining us to enjoy Chicago’s beautiful lake shore,” Cihlar said. “The runners are up for a treat, as the course is in excellent condition, the weather forecast looks very promising, and the event staging phase is on schedule to provide a wonderful running environment for tomorrow morning’s 2nd annual race. We are just as thrilled to announce that The Lakeshore Marathon Foundation next week will begin organizing to provide services back to the communities the race runs through.”

The gun goes off at 6AM Sunday morning from Burnham Park near the Chicago Fire Department Memorial next to McCormick Place Lakeside Center. Starting in “wave starts” spaced 2 minutes apart, runners will progress north along the Chicago Parks District bike paths towards the Museum Campus area, pass North Avenue Beach, Montrose Harbor, Belmont Harbor, Lincoln Park and continue north until the turn around at Hollywood Beach. At the half way mark, runners will turn back south and progress back through the course loop until finishing back in Burnham Park.

USA Track and Field is the official sanctioning body for the race, and The Lakeshore Marathon counts on points towards qualification for The Boston Marathon. The Chicago Parks District, The Mayor’s Office of Special Events, The Chicago City Council, The Bureau of Bridges and Transit, The U.S. Forest Service, The U.S. Coast Guard, the Lincoln Park Advisory Council, Chicago’s museums and all of the Chicagoland neighborhood councils and Chambers of Commerce have collaborated with Lakeshore Marathon Company to organize and execute the event. Hundreds of volunteer race crews from area organizations are lending operational support at water stations, aid stations, course marshals, and act as course ambassadors to guide spectators.

Up to 25,000 spectators are expected to line the course to cheer spectators along the 26.2 miles that runners will cover. The best places to watch the event are at Burnham Park for the Start/Finish, Oak Street Beach, Museum Campus, North Avenue Beach, Fullerton Beach, Lincoln Park near the Lincoln Park Zoo, Belmont Harbor, Foster Beach, Montrose Beach, Montrose Harbor, and Hollywood Beach. An athletes’ village and the Lakeshore Marathon Press Center are located at Burnham Field, directly south of McCormick Place Lakeside Center. Parking is available at McCormick Place Lot C, and at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.

The Foval Group, RCPA & Associates, Chicago Special Events Management, and Event Resources are partners on this year’s race. He also stated that The Chicago Lakeshore Marathon The Lakeshore Marathon extendeds special thanks to Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, the Official Headquarters Hotel of The Chicago Lakeshore Marathon; Hotel 71, McCormick Place Convention Center, the Chicago Parks District, The City of Chicago, Chicago Police Department, The U.S. Coast Guard, Carb-Boom, Crank Sports, The U.S. Forest Service, SBC Communications and Dontech, Vertel’s running store, Marathon Guide.com, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Stonyfield Farm, Doubletake Design, Running USA, Body Biz, Inc., Chicago Beach Café, Clarks Restaurants, The Lincoln Park Advisory Council, area Chambers of Commerce, the Chicago Bureau of Tourism, and USTF for their assistance in making this year’s event happen.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.lakeshoremarathon.com, email media@lakeshoremarathon.com or call Scott Foval at 312.567.1234 ext. 2933/2929/2932, or 773.610.6445. NOTE: ACCOMODATIONS FOR MEDIA ARE PROVIDED AT THE ATHLETE’S VILLAGE, CONTACT THE RACE OPERATIONS HQ FOR SPECIAL NEEDS.

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