Joan Benoit Samuelson and Marla Runyan Join Northside and Southside Marathon Teams for Official Pre-Race 'Rally' Teams Race for Refurbished Parks and Nike Footwear for Their Community; Fans Can Support Their Side at http://www.nikerunning.com/chicago CHICAGO, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- So which is it, the North or the South? On October 10, 2004, two teams of local Chicagoans competing marathon weekend will answer this question and be rewarded a big payoff for their community - a refurbished park and Nike footwear. But they need help from their fellow Chicagoans to make it happen. The two teams of Northside and Southside runners selected by Nike must do their best to convince their fans to cast their votes of support online at http://www.nikerunning.com/chicago or at the NIKETOWN Runner's Lounge. Votes can be cast in the days leading up to and during marathon weekend. At the end of the competition, the votes will be tallied and $100,000 worth of running shoes will be distributed to Chicago Park District. The percentage breakdown for donation to the north and south side will be based on the total votes tallied. In addition, Nike will donate resources, including Nike employee volunteer time, to refurbish a park chosen by the overall winning team and located in their half of town. This donation is a part of NikeGO, a national program offering thousands of children, ages 8-15 the support and motivation to become physically active, stay healthy and have fun. "This is a fun way for runners to achieve their personal best on race day while showing their Chicago spirit," says Andrea Fairchild, Nike Brand Marketing Director for Chicago. "It's also a great opportunity for all Chicagoans to help their communities stay active." The two teams will gather for a pre-race rally at Niketown Chicago, joined by Joan Benoit Samuelson and Marla Runyan, on Friday, October 8 at 12 noon. Samuelson is this year's race commentator and one of the all-time great marathoners the world has ever seen. Winner of the first Olympic women's marathon (1984), Samuelson set an American record at the Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:21:21 (1985), which she held for 15 years. She still holds the American record at the 25K with a time of 1:24:43 (1986). Legally blind, Marla Runyan was the first-ever Paralympian to compete in the Olympic games (2000). Runyan was one of the top finishers in her Marathon debut at the NYC Marathon with a time of 2:27:10 (2002), and set a new American record of 1:05:52 with her win at the New Haven 200K US Championships (2003). For more information on the North and South teams, visit http://www.nikerunning.com/chicago. NIKETOWN Runner's Lounge 669 N. Michigan Ave. Thursday, October 7: 10 AM - 8 PM Friday, October 8: 10 AM - 9 PM Saturday, October 9: 9 AM - 6 PM About NikeGO NikeGO is Nike's long-term commitment to promote healthier kids through physical activity. The program's mission is to reach kids ages 8-15, offering them the support and motivation to become physically active, stay healthy and have fun. For more information about NikeGO and to obtain a copy of the NikeGO Annual Report, visit http://www.nikego.com/. About NIKE, Inc. NIKE, Inc. based in Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan(R) a leading designer and marketer of luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel. DATASOURCE: NIKE, Inc. CONTACT: Anna Schneider of Fleishman-Hillard, +1-312-751-3522, +1-312-545-4172 - cell, or Maggie Mahler, of Nike USA, +1-503-671-3289, Web site: http://www.nikerunning.com/chicago http://www.nikego.com/

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