Nearly 40 Athletes Earned U.S. Olympic Marathon Qualifying Standard
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon helped many American runners continue their Olympic dreams by providing a cash bonus for U.S. Olympic Standard qualifying times. A total payout of $115,000 was given to 39 American runners who met the required times for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials at The 2003 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

"We focused on supporting our male and female American marathon runners with this incentive program because we knew this year was a special year with the U.S. Olympic Trials coming up," said Carey Pinkowski, executive race director. "It's financially challenging for these athletes to properly train for these Trials and pay their bills, so we hope this money will offer them assistance to achieve their Olympic goals."

The Marathon paid $3,500 to every American male who had a sub 2:20:00 effort (the "A" U.S. Trials Standard), $2,500 to every American male who had a sub 2:22:00 effort (the "B" U.S. Trials Standard), $3,500 to every American female who had a sub 2:40:00 effort (the "A" U.S. Trials Standard) and $2,500 to every American female who had a sub 2:48:00 effort (the "B" U.S. Trials Standard). There were 22 men (10 "A" standard and 12 "B" standard) who received a payout and 18 women (five "A" standard and 13 "B" standard).

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon had the most qualifying times for any 2003 marathon for both men (36) and women (33). (Some runners qualify more than once.)

The American runners who achieved their Olympic Standard were pleased with the outcome of the race and seemed grateful for the added bonus.

"The Chicago Marathon has always been extremely supportive of all its runners, regardless of ability and this is one more example," said Brian Sell who is a part of the HANSONS-Brooks Distance Project based in Rochester Hills, Mich. "I just wanted to remain competitive throughout the entire race and I was able to achieve my Olympic Standard. The next step is the Trials and the Marathon is helping me get there."

"There were a lot of American women who finished in a pack for the 'B' Standard. I think there were about 15 of us right around the 2:48:00 mark," said Lucie Mays from Carmel, Ind. "It was an overwhelming experience for all us to celebrate right after the finish line knowing we were all going to the Trials and even better we got some extra money."

The men and women U.S. Olympic Standard qualifiers are all listed below.

Male "A" Standard Qualifiers
Dan Browne, Portland, Ore.
Josh Cox, El Cajon, Calif.
Peter Clusener, Arcata, Calif.
Mike Donnelley, Portland, Ore.
Peter Gilmore, Menlo Park, Calif.
Jason Lehmkuhle, St. Paul, Minn.
Mebrahtom Keflezighi, Mamoth Lakes, Calif.
Steven Moreno, Oakland, Calif.
Todd Reeser, Rochester, NY

Male "B" Standard Qualifiers
Paul Aufdemberge, Redford, Mich.
Trent Briney, Utica, Mich.
Edmund Burke, Burtonville, Md.
Nick Cordes, Utica, Mich.
Rod DeHaven, Madison, Wisc.
Nick Gramsky, McLean, Va.
Mark Manz, Kiel, Wisc.
Matthew Marcini, NY
Tom McGlynn, Burlingame, Calif.
Brian Sell, Utica, Mich.
Terrance Shea, Somerville, Mass.
Kevin Taylor, Raleigh, N.C.

Female "A" Standard Qualifiers
Colleen DeReuck, Boulder, Colo.
Kimberly Fitchen-Young, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Rachel Sauder-Kinsman, Archbold, Ohio
Jenny Spangler, Gurnee, Ill.
Deeja Youngquist, Alburquerque, N.M.

Female "B" Standard Qualifiers
Mina Caron, Andover, Mass.
Mimi Fallon, Walpole, Mass.
Katy Hollbacher, San Francisco, Calif.
Heather Hunt, Englewood, Colo.
Nicole Kulikov, Fort Collins, Colo.
Michelle Lafleur, Savannah, Ga.
Erica Larson, Los Alamos, N.M.
Susan Loken, Phoenix, Ariz.
Lucie Mays, Carmel, Ind.
Doreen McCoubie, Malvern, Penn.
Zika Palmer, Blowing Rock, N.C.
Julia Stamps, N.Y.
Jennifer Tonkin, Seattle, Wash.

See the Photo Gallery from the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.