Kate O'Neill Feels "Like I Can Get Under 2:30" At Chicago Marathon On Sunday

The 2004 Olympic 10,000-meter runner and second place finisher at the 2007 USA Half Marathon knows Chicago will be a "learning experience" and will base her goal time on what transpires on race day. But she's certain "I don't want to slow down over the second half. I want to really run smart," and she hopes to "negative split" the course. O'Neill has been training with Coach Terrence Mahon in Mammoth Lakes, California, doing a weekly "marathon simulation." Now, she's just enjoying her taper.  More

Evans Rutto Tries To Recapture His Championship Form For Sunday's Chicago Marathon

Rutto was arguably the top marathoner in the world a few years back. He won the LaSalle Bank Chicago Rutto_evansstadh1iten05 Marathon in 2003 in a record debut of 2:05:50 and then won London and Chicago in 2004. But injuries and personal matters have derailed his progress. Now, as he gains fitness for a shot at a third Chicago crown, the question is whether he'll utilize his usual hard-from-the-gun tactics or whether he can adapt to another strategy. "When he put the jets on," observes TV commentator Toni Reavis, "he was as goodlooking a runner in full flight as I've ever seen." More (photo of Evans Rutto by Victah Sailer)