Bank of America Chicago Marathon – Olympian Matt Tegenkamp to Make Marathon Debut at 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon today announced that two-time U.S. Olympian Matt Tegenkamp will take on the 26.2-mile distance for the first time at the event's 36thrunning on Sunday, October 13. The 31-year-old native of Lee's Summit, Mo., has been one of the country's most decorated track athletesfor the past decade.

He has represented Team USA at two Olympic Games (2008 and 2012) and three IAAF World Track & Field Championships (2007, 2009 and 2011) in the 5,000-and 10,000-meter distances. In his highly anticipated move to the marathon, Tegenkamp bolsters the American presence alongsideOlympic teammate Dathan Ritzenhein. "I am very excited that all the stars aligned this year to make the Bank of America Chicago Marathon my debut at the distance," said Tegenkamp.

"There are a lot of great fall marathon options, but for my first I wanted to stay true to my Midwest roots-born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, college at University of Wisconsin, married in Madison, and now the Chicago Marathon. I know that Chicago will provide a great course, electric fans, and amazing competition, which will provide the perfect stage for me to take on one of the toughest events in sports." Tegenkamp, a 2005 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, resides in Portland, Ore., where he runs professionally for Nike and is coached by Jerry Schumacher.

He is the American record-holder in the two-mile (8:07.07), and he placed 4thin the 5,000-meters at the 2007IAAF World Championships (missing the bronzemedal by .03 seconds) and was 13thin the 2008 Olympicfinal. In 2009, Tegenkamp became one of only sixAmericans in history to break the 13-minute barrier in the 5,000-meters with a personal best 12:58.56. In 2011, he turned his focus to the 10,000-meters, placing 10that the 2011 IAAF World Championships and 19thin the 2012 Olympic final."I've long admired Matt's ability to deliver year after year and championship after championship on the track. I'm excited that he'll bringthat big game mentality and professionalism to his marathon debutat the2013Bank of America Chicago Marathon," said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski.

"With Matt and Dathanon the start line, the U.S. has thestrongest one-two punch in the history of the Chicago Marathon."The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has a rich history of debut marathon performances, with three debut world bests: Khalid Khannouchi's 2:07:10 in 1997, Ondoro Osoro's 2:06:54 in 1998, and Evans Rutto's 2:05:50 in 2003. In 2002, Alan Culpepper ran 2:09:41 in Chicago, tying Alberto Salazar for the fastest ever debut by an American.

The fastest world and American debut marathons currently stand at 2:03:06 (Moses Mosop, 2011 Boston) and 2:08:24 (Ryan Hall, 2008 London), respectively.

About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

In its 36th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a world-class elite runner and wheelchair athlete field, and an estimated 1.7 million spectators. As a result of its national andinternational draw, the iconic race assists in raising millionsof dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $219 million inannua leconomic impact to its host city according to a report by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Regional Economics ApplicationsLaboratory (R.E.A.L.).

The 2013Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 13. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12.

Jeremy Borling, Bank of America Chicago Marathon

For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to www.chicagomarathon.com