Khalid Khannouchi to Start and Finish Season in Chicago
Four-Time LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Champ to Run The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle

E-mail this page  Printer-friendly page Related info: RuniningUSA

Posted Monday, 28 February, 2005

CHICAGO - (February 24, 2005) - Four-time LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Champion Khalid Khannouchi will begin his 2005 season and marathon training in Chicago at this year's LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K. Khannouchi, who has dominated the streets of Chicago even before his world record run here in 1999, will make his first-ever appearance in The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K. His 2005 season will start in Chicago with the 8K race on Sunday, April 3 and will culminate with his seventh running of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9.

Khannouchi, 33, from Ossining, N.Y., has his sights set on a big year in Chicago as he looks to improve upon last year's fifth-place Marathon finish. He announced recently he would not run in the 2005 Flora London Marathon and that his only marathon this year would be Chicago. The energy and crowd support in Chicago have always motivated Khannouchi. And he feels that starting his training season with The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K coupled with the running of the Chicago Marathon exclusively, will provide the foundation to achieve the success the world has come to expect.

"I was a guest of the Shamrock Shuffle last year and I look forward to competing in the traditional kick-off of the running season in Chicago this year," said Khannouchi. "Chicago has been so kind to me since I debuted here in 1997 and I am pleased to have the opportunity to run both races in 2005."

Khannouchi added, "My decision to withdraw from the London Marathon will enable me to focus on just one marathon in 2005. This will allow me to remain competitive among the strong field that is always assembled for The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon."

To say that Khannouchi has dominated the streets of Chicago is an understatement. With four first-place feats, including a record-setting performance, Khannouchi's dominance is one of the great sports stories in Chicago.

"Khalid Khannouchi is undoubtedly one of, if not, the greatest distance runners of all time," remarked Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "His epic performances and dramatic finishes in Chicago are some of the greatest moments in marathon history. We are excited to have him back in the Marathon this year and are also very pleased that he will join us for The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K."

Although he finished a disappointing fifth in the Marathon, he felt good that he completed the marathon after nearly 24 months of injuries and said he learned valuable lessons that will certainly help him in his preparation for this year's marathon.

How Khalid performs in the Marathon this year depends on his training and his health. But Chicagoans will get a sneak peek of their favorite marathoner when he returns home to run in The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K.

Related info:
RuniningUSA

 E-mail this page
 Printer-friendly page