Deena Kastor at the 2008 US Olympic Trials

CHICAGO –
U.S. Olympian Deena Kastor today announced that she will compete in the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, her first appearance in the distance since injury forced her to withdraw in the third mile of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Marathon.

A bronze medalist in the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon, Kastor has her eyes set on a return to the distance with a strong performance in the Oct. 11 race and is aiming to lower the American Record in the marathon by running sub-2:18:00 in the race.

“The terrible timing of my injury in last year’s Olympic Games left me with a hunger to perform well on the world stage,” said Kastor from Chicago. “I am thrilled to have chosen the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for my return to the distance I love so much. Chicago holds a special place in my heart and my greatest hope is to run a personal best there.”

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