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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