Press Release - Chicago Marathon - 10/8/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

       TOMESCU-DITA PREPARES FOR THE LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON
                       WITH WORLD'S SECOND FASTEST 20K

The  2004  LaSalle  Bank  Chicago  Marathon women's champion Constantina 
Tomescu-Dita  (ROM)  continued her preparation for The 2006 LaSalle Bank 
Chicago  Marathon  with  a  World  Record  breaking performance today in 
Debrecen,  Hungary  at  the  IAAF  World  Road  Racing Championship 20K. 
Although  her  performance  was  outshined  by  eventual champion Lornah 
Kipligat  (NED),  who  now  owns  the World Record with a 1:03:21 finish 
time, Tomescu-Dita was close on her heels, crossing the finish line only 
two seconds later in 1:03:23. The World Record in the 20K was previously 
held by Paula Radcliffe (GBR) at 1:03:26.

Tomescu-Dita,  the  Romanian  record  holder  in  the 5K, 10K, 15K, Half 
Marathon,  Marathon  and  now  20K  distances,  is set to compete in her 
fourth  consecutive LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 22. In  
last  year's  Chicago  race,  she set the Romanian marathon national record  
(2:21:31)  in a second-place finish behind champion Deena Kastor (USA) 
after challenging her in the final stretch.

For  more  information  on  The  LaSalle  Bank  Chicago  Marathon, visit

                           www.chicagomarathon.com


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