Photo by Lisa Coniglio, www.photorun.net: Deena Kastor won the 2005 LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K in 24:36, a new American record.

Preparation for a Personal Best at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
Olympian Deena Kastor will run in the 28th Annual Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run on Sept. 18, 2005, race organizers have announced. Kastor, who had a stirring performance in the 2004 Olympic marathon en route to her bronze medal, will be making her first appearance at the premier half marathon.

Currently America's finest women's distance runner, Kastor, 32, boasts an impressive running resume. Her bronze-medal performance last summer marked the first U.S. medal in the Olympic marathon since Joan Benoit's gold at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. Kastor ran a 2:27:20 in Athens and still holds the American record at that distance, 2:21:16, which she set at the 2003 Flora London Marathon. She is also a two-time world Cross Country silver medalist ('02, '03), four-time U.S. 10,000- meter champion ('00, '01, '03, '04), and set a 5K world best at the Carlsbad 5000 in 2002 (14:54).

Deena Kastor, who lives and trains in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., plans to use the Philadelphia Distance Run as a tune up for the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Oct. 9. See the Chicago Athlete for an interview with Kastor, who set the American women's marathon record of 2:21:16 in 2003 and has targeted sub-2:20 for her October race.

Now in its 28th year, the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run has introduced a new course, an increased prize purse for elite runners and several additional highlights that will enhance the day's festivities.

Participants will enjoy a scenic and historic course through many of Philadelphia's celebrated sites. The new start and finish lines will be located at Eakins Oval, by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. From the start line, runners will head towards Center City on the legendary Benjamin Franklin Parkway lined with glorious fountains, international flags and a vast array of public art. Runners will then pass City Hall and Independence Hall. After heading back up Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the course will roll into the serene and picturesque Fairmount Park along the Schuylkill River before finishing back at Eakins Oval.

The Jefferson Hospital Big Walk for Little Feet, a three-mile walk now celebrating its fifth year, also has a new course. Walkers start and finish at Eakins Oval (23rd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art). The three-mile walk raises funds to benefit Jefferson Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care and Well Baby Units.

Future half marathoners also have their own event on race day. Now in its 13th year, the Philadelphia Children's Run features races and entertainment for children between the ages of 3 through 12. All of the children's races will start and finish at Eakins Oval at the same location as the half marathon start line.

For further information or to register for the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run click on the www.runphilly.com Web site or call 800 311-1255.

Photo by Victah Sailer, www.photorun.net: In 2004, American Olympian Marla Runyan placed fourth in the Philadelphia Distance Run.