University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff

May 31, 2001	Contact: Lisa Quebbeman, (312) 355-1772, lisaqueb@uic.edu
	Liz Zweigle, (312) 243-2000

CHICAGO DISTANCE CLASSIC AT UIC JULY 8

Take those running and walking shoes out of the closet and gear up for the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago's (ALAMC) 25th Annual Chicago Distance Classic (CDC) on Sunday, July 8, in partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago. The race starts and finishes at Halsted and Harrison streets in the heart of the UIC campus. The lung association challenges people of all ages to participate in the CDC, which includes competitive 20K and 5K runs and a 5-mile Walk for Healthy Lungs.

The CDC is the oldest race in Chicago. And this historic 25th anniversary year hopes to attract more than 6,000 runners and walkers who take to the streets to help in the fight against lung disease, one of the nation's fastest growing health problems.

The 20K run begins at 7:45 a.m. followed by the 5K run at 8 a.m. and the 5-mile Walk for Healthy Lungs at 8:05 a.m. The route is flat and fast and takes runners and walkers through unique Chicago neighborhoods such as Little Italy and Greektown.

Split times are read at each mile marker. For a hydration boost, water stations are located at points along the route. Prizes are awarded to the first 25-year-old finisher, first finisher born in 1925, and the 25th person to cross the finish line. All finishers will receive a commemorative medal. Awards are also given to the top three male and female overall finishers, top three wheelchair finishers and to the top three male and female finishers in each age group category for the 20K and 5K runs. Finish line festivities include a raffle and free food and beverages courtesy of ClifBar, Home Instead Senior Care, Fantasia, Gatorade and Freschetta Pizza. Raffle prizes include athletic wear and running gear from ASICS and Fleet Feet Sports Chicago.

Proceeds from the CDC benefit ALAMC's lung disease research, advocacy and education programs, including a summer camp for children with severe asthma, research on asthma treatments and legislative initiatives to reduce air pollution. Registration and packet pick-up is available at Fleet Feet Sports, 210 W. North Ave. (Pipers Alley) on Saturday, June 30 and on Sunday, July 1 from noon to 4 p.m. In addition, registration and packet pick-up is available at ALAMC, 1440 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, on Friday, July 6, from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, July 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The entry fee is $25 with a discount for online registration. Race day registration and packet pick-up will be held at the race site from 6 - 7:15 a.m.

Runners and walkers are encouraged to go the extra mile and raise pledges to help support the work of the lung association. Entry fees barely cover the cost of running the event.

More than half a million people in the Chicago area suffer from a lung disease, including 98,000 children with asthma. Lung disease is the third leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Raising pledges for the Chicago Distance Classic helps millions to breathe easier. Prizes are awarded to participants who raise $50 or more. Prizes include souvenir mugs, electronic superstore gift certificates, mountain bikes and ASICS running gear. Participants who raise $500 or more are invited to a private reception. The top fund-raiser contributing more than $5,000 receives two American Airlines tickets to Europe (restrictions apply).

The Chicago Distance Classic is sponsored by ABC-7, American Airlines, WBBM Newsradio 780, Fleet Feet Sports Chicago, ASICS, Nextel Communications Inc., ClifBar and Chicago's Amateur Athlete. For more information on the Chicago Distance Classic, visit www.lungchicago.org or call (312) RUN-1900.

- UIC -