Contacts:
Public Relations, Cher Cox, (312) 505-7555; cher@allancox.com
Race Director, Susan Nicholl, (773) 491-9079; nicholldpi@aol.com
CHICAGO - (Sept. 19, 2004) - On a spectacular autumn day, in the true spirit of Chicago, more than 7,000 local runners vied for course records at the 8th Annual Chicago Half Marathon. Record crowds were on hand to cheer family members, friends and colleagues. Participants came from as far a
way as China.
Running well ahead of the pack, Chicagoan Chris Wehrman triumphantly crossed the finish line with a time of 1:07:06, a 5:08 per mile pace. Having won this event in 2000-02, he took last year off to train for the 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials. He was the only man from Illinois who qualified f
or the Trials. Second place finisher John Weigel from Naperville ran 1:08:12.
Kim Miltz, 30, from nearby Hoffman Estates decided to enter the race only two days ago and won by a full minute (1:19:38) to reach her goal of breaking 1:20.
An assistant track coach at Fenton High School, Miltz ran for the University of Chicago. Miltz beamed as she held her 14-month-old-daughter, Ava Olympic aloft. "I found out I was pregnant two weeks after qualifying for the Olympic Trials. We thought we'd have to wait two years to start a fa
mily ... and I got the best of both worlds." Second place finisher Dorothy Gach of Morton Grove (1:20:38) closely trailed Miltz for the first six miles.
Dave Bussard from Elkhart, IN, 44, took the men's master division with a time of 1:16:33 and Christen Meger from Lagrange, IL, 41, finished first in the women's division with a time of 1:23:38.
Sponsored by Chicago-based Devine Racing, The Half culminated in exuberant award ceremonies on the grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry. Awards included the newly created Human Spirit Award which recognizes outstanding character, triumph over adversity and inspiration to others. Iz
zy Cherrone, a 47-year-old mother of two has successfully battled cancer for nine years with humor and grace and serves as a shining inspiration to cancer patients, their families and all in attendance.
Chicagoans had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to run with 1976 Olympian and four-time Boston and New York City Marathon winner Bill Rodgers. 500 entrants were wearing colorful wristbands that said "I Ran with Bill Rodgers." Bill sought out the 'mid-packers' wearing those colorful bands and ran
along with them - offering tips and encouragement.
Ranked among the Top 10 half marathons in the country, the Chicago Half has always dedicated itself to putting a Chicago face on running. The emphasis is not on bringing in elite runners from around the globe, but focusing on Chicago/Midwest runners and running clubs, their friends and fami
lies.
"Our staff was able to take the Chicago Half Marathon to the 'next level' today," noted Chris Devine, Chairman of Chicago-based Devine Racing. "We put on a larger scale celebration for each runner's personal triumph and significantly increased participation to set the stage for this race to
be one of the best in the nation."
Susan Nicholl, founder and one of the few women race directors in the U.S., recounted the outcome of today's race. "Things couldn't have gone better for our race. We've always been one of the most popular half marathons in the country, but this year we really kicked it up notch to guarantee
a festive finish for our participants as they celebrated their accomplishments with family and friends."
Post race atmosphere included massages for all runners, food and the annual KidsFest. Following the awards, record crowds rocked to a free post-race concert in Jackson Park starring Little Feat and their freewheeling fusion of California rock and Dixie-inflected funk-boogie.
8th Chicago Half Marathon
Chicago, IL, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004
MEN
1) Chris Wehrman (IL), 1:07:06
2) John Weigel (IL), 1:08:12
3) Paul Howarth (IN), 1:08:49
WOMEN
1) Kim Miltz (IL), 1:19:38
2) Dorothy Gach (IL), 1:20:38
3) Erin Kelly (IN), 1:22:38
For deeper results, go to: www.chicagohalfmarathon.com
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