Returning champs expected for Chicago marathon

CHICAGO — Defending champions Liliya Shobukhova of Russia and Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya highlight the deepest field of elite runners to date when the 33rd Chicago Marathon begins on Sunday. Also expected to race are Americans Steve Jones and Joan Benoit Samuelson, who were Chicago champions 25 years ago. Jones is making a recreational run while 52-year-old Benoit Samuelson is trying to qualify for a fifth straight U.S. Olympic trials in the marathon if she finishes in 2 hours, 46 minutes or lower. Elite runners will be competing for portions of a purse totaling $481,000, including $75,000 apiece to the first place male and female winner. The 26-member women's field include a trio of Ethiopians: Astede Baysa, a two-time Paris champion; Askale Tafa Magarsa, 2008 Berlin runner-up;and Mamitu Daksa, the 2010 Dubai champion. They're joined by Berlin champion Irina Mikitenko of Germany and top American Magdalena Lewy-Boulet. Among the 23 elite men are Deriba Merga and Feyisa Lilesa, both from Ethiopia. Merga won the 2009 Boston Marathon while Lilesa has a personal best time of 2:05.23, among the fastest in the field. London champion Tsegay Kebede of Ethopia and Boston winner Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot of Kenya will also challenge Wanjiru. An estimated 1.7 million spectators are expected to line the course for the field of 45,000 runners, mostly amateurs. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-50s (low teens C) to start and rise into the mid-70s (mid-20s C) by afternoon, well below the record 89 (32) that caused problems in 2007. – AP