History of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

That same year, Khannouchi returned to Chicago after a year absence to challenge Paul Tergat, defending champion Ben Kimondiu, and two-time London Marathon champion Abdelkhader El Mouaziz. Khannouchi’s 2:05:56 victory earned him an unprecedented fourth LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon title, and he became the only marathoner in the world with three sub-2:06 performances.

Evans Rutto rocked the field in 2003 with a World Debut Record and tasted victory once more in 2004, this time joined by Constantina Tomescu-Dita who earned her first-ever crown in the women’s race. In 2005, Felix Limo overtook Rutto (2:07:02) while American sweetheart Deena Kastor won the women’s race in 2:21:25 despite a late challenge from Tomescu-Dita.

In 2006 The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon altered the world view of the marathon by aligning itself with four other races that equal its prestige: the Boston, Flora London, real,- Berlin and ING New York marathons. This allegiance of five created the World Marathon Majors – a series of qualifying competitions that will award a total $1 million to be split equally between the top male and female marathoner each year. The groundbreaking move is the first of its kind in the sport and is paving the way toward raising awareness for its athletes and the sport overall.

In 2007, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon produced two of the most exciting finishes in marathon history. Kenyan Patrick Ivuti edged out Jaouad Gharib in his final step after sprinting neck and neck with the Moroccan down the final stretch. Minutes later, Berhane Adere (ETH) snuck up behind Romanian Adriana Pirtea who realized she had been caught too late and could not match the stride of the repeat Chicago champion. 

2007 also marked the acquisition of LaSalle Bank by Bank of America. After a 14-year association with LaSalle, the race's name was changed to reflect its steward and is now known as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.