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Lead Stories: Friday, December 5, 2008

Gold Medalist Dita Leads Chicago Field

Posted September 11th, 2008 at 10:45 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Organizers of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will have the sparkle of gold at their race on Sunday, October 12, when Romania’s Constantina Dita steps to the starting line. The newly crowned Olympic Games gold medalist will have just 56 days to recover from her breakaway win in Beijing, then rally back to perform at her best in Chicago. It will be her fifth appearance in the Windy City, a race she won in 2004 and finished second one year later in a personal best 2:21:30.

“I am delighted to be returning to Chicago,” said Dita through a press release. “I have always felt great running there and have been fortunate to have some of the best races of my life there. It will also be nice to return because I understand Chicago is bidding for the 2016 Olympic Games and I think it would be a wonderful place to have them.”

In Beijing Dita pulled away from the field just before the halfway point, and romped to a solo victory in 2:26:44, 22 seconds ahead of silver medalist Catherine Ndereba of Kenya. She became the oldest Olympic Games marathon champion at 38.
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Sponsor Name Change
for Chicago Marathon

Posted January 31st, 2008 at 6:03 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The Chicago Marathon announced that the official title of their race would change to reflect the turnover in ownership of the bank which owns it. Known last year as the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, this year the event will be called the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the race’s logo has been updated, accordingly.

“It is our privilege and honor to continue the grand tradition of this iconic race and maintain the tenets that have established it as one of the five most prestigious marathons in the world,” said Bank of America Illinois President David Rudis in a media release. “We also plan to strengthen and grow the race by developing additional community and philanthropic programs and welcoming new sponsors. Today is the first day of what we believe will be an exciting new era for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.”

The event also announced that the registration process for the October 12 race would open tomorrow. The race plans to enroll 45,000 runners (last year’s race had 35,867 starters).
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Bank of America announces support for U.S. Olympic hopefuls to launch 16th year as Team USA Sponsor

Posted August 7th, 2007 at 7:00 AM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Olympics

United States Olympic Committee (USOC) sponsor Bank of America today launched its 2008 Olympic Games programming by introducing its roster of 12 U.S. Olympic Team hopefuls. The athletes, who have collectively won eight Olympic medals across a variety of disciplines, will be part of the bank’s year-long U.S. Olympic marketing campaign.

Bank of America also announced its continued support for the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls(TM) Family Center, a unique hospitality experience, which will act as a home base for friends, families and more than 550 talented U.S. Olympians during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

The multi- level 15,500 square foot facility, located in the western part of the city, will feature many of the comforts of home, including complimentary lunch, dinner, snacks and other refreshments; complimentary tickets to an Olympic event for up to four family members; wide-screen televisions with closed- circuit coverage of Olympic competition; information services; and an Internet lounge for athletes, families and friends who are eager to stay connected with others back home in the United States.
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Q&A: Francisco Rodriguez on his transformation from avid smoker to dedicated marathoner

Posted July 19th, 2007 at 2:45 PM by Courtney Albon

Section: Running & Training, Motivation, Success Stories, Special Features, Interviews, Health & Fitness

Francisco__Rodriguez marathon runner bank of america vice president Twenty years ago, Francisco Rodriguez smoked more than two packs of cigarettes per day - and the thought of running a marathon was almost laughable. Today, the recently-retired Bank of New York Vice President is running as many as 54 races a year and completed his 150th marathon in April at the Boston Marathon.

In the following interview TFS’s Courtney Albon speaks with Rodriguez about his metamorphosis, the challenges he faced, his source of inspiration and support, and the benefits of his new lifestyle.

TFS: What was your life like before you became a marathon runner? What were some of the specific, unhealthy habits that you had to deal with?

Rodriguez: Well, my major problem-or not problem-but my major issue is that I was a very heavy smoker. I used to smoke two and a half packs a day until 1998 when I decided that was not good. So, I started running and I haven’t stopped since then. It’s been twenty years no that I’ve been running.

I always eat healthy, but I just eat a lot. The food is always healthy, but it is in bigger quantities than other people. I don’t eat too many fats or fried foods, things like that, but my major thing was the smoking. So, now I run a lot of races and I run every day. My life is a lot better.

TFS: What triggered you to start working towards living healthier? Was there a moment of epiphany or was it more gradual?
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