Costello, Domich Win Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon
Rain doesn't deter dedicated runners in race record field of 16,500

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Posted Friday, 19 September, 2008

CHICAGO - (Sept. 14, 2008) - Chicago residents Greg Costello and Amanda Domich bested one of the most competitive amateur fields to win the 12th Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon in 1:07:59 and 1:20:58, respectively. Following the rainiest day on record in Chicago and under a steady, and at times heavy rain on Sunday, Costello and Domich set also new course records for the 13.1-mile race.

Costello, winner of the 2006 and 2007 races, set and maintained an aggressive pace of 5:12-minutes-per-mile. He was joined by runner-up Puerto Rican Adrian Rodriguez and third pace finisher Matt Flaherty from Bloomington, IN. The three contenders stayed close for more than 12 miles before defending champion Costello began to take the edge. Costello and Rodriguez remained close before sprinting into an exciting finish with a mere 13 seconds between them.

"There is no doubt I was pushed to run well by Rodriguez and Flaherty," said Costello. "I felt strong the whole time and the new course made it a bit easier mentally because of shorter out-and-back."

A relatively new competitor at this distance, women's winner, Amanda Domich crossed the finish line after striding to a 6:11 minutes-per-mile pace. Domich was joined by runner-up Alona Banai for most of the race, before she pushed the pace and broke free around mile nine. Chicagoland took a sweep of the women's podium with the three top women hailing from the city.

Clearly surprised by her win, Domich shared, "This is my first time running this race, and I'm almost in shock. I knew I could run this pace, but to be first is a great feeling."

"Our goal was to deliver a safe, memorable race for our participants today despite the wet weather conditions," said Jeff Graves, race director. "With the help of nearly 1,000 volunteers, with the support of Banco Popular and our other sponsors, we were able to reach that goal. Today though, I was most impressed by the dedication - the determination - of the people who trained, got to the start and crossed the finish line."

More than 95 percent of the starting field finished the race. Under the new management of US Road Sports & Entertainment Group, the 2008 Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon sported its largest field ever of 16,500 registered participants.

Despite the precipitation, nearly 70 percent of racers got to the new starting line at historic Jackson Park, site of the 1893 World' Columbian Exposition. The 13.1-mile course took racers through a puddle-packed and rain-soaked Chicago that included the University of Chicago campus, a view of Lake Michigan from the famous Lake Shore Drive before returning to historic Jackson Park. Finishers received the newly debuted race medal: a black and bronze showpiece that featured a representation of Chicago's famous skyscrapers and Lake Michigan.

Runners ranged in age from 16 to 77 years-old. Female racers made up more than half of all registrants at 63 percent; male racers made up 37 percent of the field. As a combined group, the racers represented 48 states, with Illinois runners representing nearly three-quarters of the field and 28 countries with Canada providing the most international runners.

The 13.1 race wasn't only record-setting finish. The inaugural Banco Popular Chicago 5K field numbered nearly 600 runners. The race organizers added the 5K for those who wanted to be part of the inspiring race, but at the shorter 3.1-mile distance. The Banco Popular Chicago 5K men's winner, Luis Camacho from Ponce, PUR, reached the finish line in 15:49. Donna Anderson from Naperville, IL, was the women's winner with a time of 21:36.

"The Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon & 5K showcases the best of our Chicago communities and we're proud to be a part of one of the largest half-marathons in the country," said Michael McCraken, region executive, Illinois of Banco Popular. "This year, we saw not only the largest registered field, every improvement was focused on making the race better for the runners - from the new expo location to the new start and finish, to the new finisher's medal. It's exciting to be part of a race that focuses on the runner's experience."

12th Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon
Chicago, IL, Sunday, September 14, 2008

MEN
1) Greg Costello, 27, Chicago, IL, 1:07:59
2) Adrian Rodriguez, 20, Arecibo, PUR, 1:08:12
3) Matt Flaherty, 23, Bloomington, IL, 1:08:45

WOMEN
1) Amanda Domich, 27, Algonquin, IL, 1:20:58
2) Alona Banai, 24, Oak Park, IL, 1:22:05
3) Christina Overbeck, 22, Chicago, IL, 1:23:11

Complete results at: www.ChicagoHalfMarathon.com

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