CHICAGO (October 11, 2009) - The 32^nd running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon today witnessed 34,792 participants at the start and 33,419 official finishers, a men’s course record, a new female champion, a three-time wheelchair champion and a sprint finish in the women’s wheelchair competition.

With a chilly start line temperature of 33°F and calm, 4 mph winds coming out of the northwest, the men’s and women’s elite fields took off in drastically different fashion.  The men shot out of the start on world record pace with 2008 Olympic gold medalist Sammy Wanjiru (KEN) following closely behind four pacers.  Hanging off Wanjiru’s shoulder until shortly after the 35K were fellow countrymen Vincent Kipruto (KEN) and Charles Munyeki (KEN).  Just as Wanjiru picked up his cadence, Kipruto and Munyeki were chased down by Morocco’s Abderrahim Goumri.  Goumri held on to finish second and outkick Kipruto, 2:06:04 to 2:06:08, respectively.