Official Press Release
Two-Time World Marathon Majors Series Champion Liliya Shobukhova Gears Up for Olympics with Back-to-Back Races in WMM Cities
Shobukhova Opens Her 2012 Season Next Month at the NYC Half and
Chicago's Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K
NEW YORK/CHICAGO, February 22, 2012 - Two-time World Marathon Majors series champion and three-time Bank of America Chicago Marathon winner Liliya Shobukhova of Russia will open her 2012 season at the NYC Half on Sunday, March 18, followed with a run at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K in Chicago on Sunday, March 25, it was jointly announced today by NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg and Bank of America Chicago Marathon and Shamrock Shuffle 8K Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski.
Shobukhova, 34, an early favorite for the Olympic Games Marathon in London this summer said of her spring trip to the U.S., "This Olympic year will be the most important of my career, so I am choosing all of my competitions carefully. The NYC Half will allow me to test my fitness and compete against some of the same runners I will face in the Olympic Marathon, while going to Chicago for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K will allow me to connect with all of the great fans and runners there on a course that feels like home to me in the city where I have had so much success. It's the perfect trip."
Shobukhova will make her third start at an NYRR event having last raced at the NYRR Mini 10K in 2011. Last fall, Shobukhova cemented her legacy in Chicago by winning her third consecutive Bank of America Chicago Marathon, becoming the first runner to do so in the event's 34-year history.
"Consistency is a sign of greatness and nobody has been more consistent than Liliya at the marathon distance the last few years," said Wittenberg. "We welcome her back to NY for her first steps on the road to the London Olympics."
Shobukhova will join other Olympic contenders Kara Goucher and Desiree Davila of the U.S. in the NYC Half. NYRR's flagship half-marathon, in its seventh edition, will feature a record field of 15,000 runners, a $100,000 prize purse and a new course traversing through Manhattan beginning in Central Park, going through Times Square and all the way downtown to the scenic South Street Seaport finish.
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K marks Chicago's annual kick-off to the running season. Shobukhova will be joined by U.S. Olympic Marathon team member Abdi Abdirahman as they lead the way for 40,000 runners at the 33rd annual race through downtown Chicago. The flat and fast course mirrors the start and finish of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Grant Park, where Shobukhova made history last fall.
"Liliya has performed at the highest level on the streets of Chicago and we're excited that her road to the Olympics will once again run through our city," said Pinkowski. "The Shamrock Shuffle is an opportunity for Liliya to celebrate the start of a new season alongside the local fans who have supported her and will be rooting for her as one of their own at the Olympic Games."
There is precedent for a Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K winner to go on to win the gold medal in the Olympic Marathon. Constantina Dita of Romania, the 2006 Shamrock Shuffle champion (and 2004 Chicago Marathon champion) struck gold at the 2008 Olympic Marathon in Beijing.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Abdirahman, Moody Running Shamrock Shuffle
Official Press Release
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K today announced that 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon team member Abdi Abdirahman will take part in Chicago's annual kick off to the running season on Sunday, March 25. He will lead the way for 40,000 runners at the 33rd annual event that runs through downtown Chicago. Abdirahman is preparing to represent Team USA in the marathon at this summer's Olympic Games and will use the Shamrock Shuffle as a launch pad for his training after recovering from the U.S. Olympic Trials in January. The Shamrock Shuffle factors in as a fun, flat and fast competition in a city that has been instrumental in launching his marathon career.
"The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K is first and foremost a tradition for Chicagoans to put on their running shoes after a long winter and celebrate the arrival of spring, but we're also proud of the event's legacy of elite level racing, which continues with the addition of Abdi to this year's field," said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "Abdi has world-class track credentials and is a three-time Olympian in the 10,000 meters, so it will be fun to watch him put his leg speed to the test on our flat and fast 8K course."
Abdirahman qualified for this fourth U.S. Olympic team with a third place finish at the Olympic Trials Marathon on January 14. He previously competed in the 10,000 meters at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Games. At the 2006 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Abdirahman finished fourth overall in a personal best 2:08:56. After visiting Chicago to help kick off registration for the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on February 1, Abdirahman, who resides in Tucson, Ariz., is rapidly becoming a fan favorite among the local running community.
"The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K will be my first competitive race since the Olympic Trials, and I can't wait to put my racing flats back on and get my season started along with 40,000 other runners in Chicago," said Abdirahman. "I really enjoyed my time here earlier in the month and got to meet many of the local runners. I definitely feel the enthusiasm and support of the Chicago running community and that is something I am going to soak up at the Shamrock Shuffle and take with me all the way to the Olympic Games. I love racing and am ready to go head-to-head again after recovering from the Trials."
Joining Abdirahman on the start line will be two-time Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K champion Tera Moody of Colorado Springs, Colo. Originally from St. Charles, Ill., Moody was a star performer at St. Charles High School and a two-time Illinois state champion in the 1,600 meters. Moody, who placed 10th at the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a personal best 2:30:53, is on the comeback trail from an injury that held her out of the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in January. She has twice represented the U.S. at the World Championships Marathon, leading the American squad with a 17th place finish last summer in Daegu, South Korea.
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K today announced that 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon team member Abdi Abdirahman will take part in Chicago's annual kick off to the running season on Sunday, March 25. He will lead the way for 40,000 runners at the 33rd annual event that runs through downtown Chicago. Abdirahman is preparing to represent Team USA in the marathon at this summer's Olympic Games and will use the Shamrock Shuffle as a launch pad for his training after recovering from the U.S. Olympic Trials in January. The Shamrock Shuffle factors in as a fun, flat and fast competition in a city that has been instrumental in launching his marathon career.
"The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K is first and foremost a tradition for Chicagoans to put on their running shoes after a long winter and celebrate the arrival of spring, but we're also proud of the event's legacy of elite level racing, which continues with the addition of Abdi to this year's field," said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "Abdi has world-class track credentials and is a three-time Olympian in the 10,000 meters, so it will be fun to watch him put his leg speed to the test on our flat and fast 8K course."
Abdirahman qualified for this fourth U.S. Olympic team with a third place finish at the Olympic Trials Marathon on January 14. He previously competed in the 10,000 meters at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Games. At the 2006 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Abdirahman finished fourth overall in a personal best 2:08:56. After visiting Chicago to help kick off registration for the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on February 1, Abdirahman, who resides in Tucson, Ariz., is rapidly becoming a fan favorite among the local running community.
"The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K will be my first competitive race since the Olympic Trials, and I can't wait to put my racing flats back on and get my season started along with 40,000 other runners in Chicago," said Abdirahman. "I really enjoyed my time here earlier in the month and got to meet many of the local runners. I definitely feel the enthusiasm and support of the Chicago running community and that is something I am going to soak up at the Shamrock Shuffle and take with me all the way to the Olympic Games. I love racing and am ready to go head-to-head again after recovering from the Trials."
Joining Abdirahman on the start line will be two-time Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K champion Tera Moody of Colorado Springs, Colo. Originally from St. Charles, Ill., Moody was a star performer at St. Charles High School and a two-time Illinois state champion in the 1,600 meters. Moody, who placed 10th at the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a personal best 2:30:53, is on the comeback trail from an injury that held her out of the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in January. She has twice represented the U.S. at the World Championships Marathon, leading the American squad with a 17th place finish last summer in Daegu, South Korea.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Marathon Sells Out in Six Days
Official Press Release
2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Sells Out in Record Time
Registration Officially Closed Monday in a Record Six Days; Limited Number of Entries Still Available through the Charity Program
CHICAGO - Registration for the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon closed in record time today as the maximum 45,000 participants signed up in six days for the 35th anniversary event. Demand to run the iconic race has increased significantly in recent years, closing 25 days faster than the previous record established last year. A decade ago, the 2003 event closed in 35 weeks.
"Enthusiasm to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is at an all-time high with record breaking interest, and we plan to match that level of enthusiasm by providing participants with a first-class race experience at the 35th anniversary event," said Bank of America Chicago and Illinois Market President Tim Maloney. "Bank of America is proud to create opportunity for 45,000 passionate runners to achieve their goals on race day and to deliver a world class event that has a profound economic and charitable impact on the Chicago community and beyond each year."
Entry into the sold-out event can still be obtained through the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program, which has generated more than $70 million for local, national and global causes since its inception in 2002. More than 90 affiliated nonprofits have available entries for the 2012 race. Visit www.chicagomarathon.com for charity program details and information on how to register by joining a charity team.
"What a way to begin the 35th anniversary Bank of America Chicago Marathon with our field filling up in record time. It is truly a testament to the first-class experience we provide to each and every runner on the streets of Chicago," said Bank of America Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "This marks the start of an exciting journey for the participants, as well as for our partners in the community, the City of Chicago, our sponsors and our volunteers. Staging the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is a team effort, and we're excited to work together to put on a stellar event on October 7 for everyone involved."
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 35th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a world-class elite runner and wheelchair field, and an estimated 1.7 million spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, each year, the iconic race assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $170 million in economic impact to its host city according to a report by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.). The 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Chicago's Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 7. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 5, and Saturday, October 6.
www.chicagomarathon.com
2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Sells Out in Record Time
Registration Officially Closed Monday in a Record Six Days; Limited Number of Entries Still Available through the Charity Program
CHICAGO - Registration for the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon closed in record time today as the maximum 45,000 participants signed up in six days for the 35th anniversary event. Demand to run the iconic race has increased significantly in recent years, closing 25 days faster than the previous record established last year. A decade ago, the 2003 event closed in 35 weeks.
"Enthusiasm to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is at an all-time high with record breaking interest, and we plan to match that level of enthusiasm by providing participants with a first-class race experience at the 35th anniversary event," said Bank of America Chicago and Illinois Market President Tim Maloney. "Bank of America is proud to create opportunity for 45,000 passionate runners to achieve their goals on race day and to deliver a world class event that has a profound economic and charitable impact on the Chicago community and beyond each year."
Entry into the sold-out event can still be obtained through the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program, which has generated more than $70 million for local, national and global causes since its inception in 2002. More than 90 affiliated nonprofits have available entries for the 2012 race. Visit www.chicagomarathon.com for charity program details and information on how to register by joining a charity team.
"What a way to begin the 35th anniversary Bank of America Chicago Marathon with our field filling up in record time. It is truly a testament to the first-class experience we provide to each and every runner on the streets of Chicago," said Bank of America Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "This marks the start of an exciting journey for the participants, as well as for our partners in the community, the City of Chicago, our sponsors and our volunteers. Staging the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is a team effort, and we're excited to work together to put on a stellar event on October 7 for everyone involved."
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 35th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a world-class elite runner and wheelchair field, and an estimated 1.7 million spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, each year, the iconic race assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $170 million in economic impact to its host city according to a report by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.). The 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Chicago's Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 7. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 5, and Saturday, October 6.
www.chicagomarathon.com
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