Posted: September 29, 2007

Athletics: Counting Down To The 30th Anniversary Lasalle Bank Chicago Marathon

30 Inspiring Stories in 30 Days As a health education specialist, Kelly Marie Imus is continually advising her patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle – and she practices what she preaches. At age 35, Kelly is well on her way to achieving her goal of completing 50 marathons in all 50 states before she turns 50. WHO: Kelly Marie Imus AGE: 35 OCCUPATION: Health Education Specialist HOMETOWN: Greeley, Colorado PREVIOUS MARATHONS: 3 RUNNER STORY: Kelly Marie Imus has a great respect for the importance of physical wellness. She runs for many reasons, but primarily to promote her own health and to raise awareness about its role in the quality of life. She has an important role as a health education specialist with a primary focus in diabetics. The majority of her patients are Latina women in her community and she is perpetually reminding them of the benefits of a balanced diet and a regular exercise routine. Kelly's profession provides her with two motives to run in marathons: to set an example for her patients and to keep her own health in order. Due to her chaotic schedule she forces herself out of bed at 4:00 a.m., six days per week to train. She then comes home and prepares herself for the rest of her day. While she does not expect everyone she crosses paths with to take on such an aggressive approach, she hopes her commitment toward serving as a good role model will encourage copycats. After all, if she can hold a full-time job and keep in shape, anyone can! When Kelly began running for health she decided to set a goal for herself. She prepared for her first marathon in 2004 at the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon. She did not have high expectations for the race and was both surprised and elated to find out that she had managed to qualify for the Boston Marathon on her first try! Since then, Kelly has made a promise to run in marathons in all 50 states before she turns 50. Though she will be just 35 at this year's LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, she will also be able to check off New York and Hawaii by the close of the year. Running in all 50 states has offered Kelly a fantastic opportunity to travel and meet new people. She is most excited about running in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon as it is the first time her parents will be able to watch her. Being from Peoria, Ill. will allow them to make a short journey to see their daughter bolt across the finish line. As with every trial, she hopes to improve her finish time so that she can continue to improve her endurance and speed for her next mission. RACE INFORMATION: The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Sunday, October 7, 2007 as 45,000 participants advance to the start line, embarking on the culmination of 45,000 personal journeys. Along with the massive field of recreational runners, the 26.2-mile course will welcome a full field of world renowned professional athletes drawn to the flat, fast, urban setting and the potential to break world and national records. The professionals will compete for prize money and points in the World Marathon Majors series which will crown its first male and female champions with $500,000 each at the close of 2007. Since the inception of its charity program in 2002, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has generated more than $27.5 million for a variety of charitable causes including $9.5 million in the 2006 event alone. Registration for the race opened on January 1, 2007 and closed when it reached capacity on April 18. Kelly Marie's story and all previously released runner stories are available at ChicagoMarathon.com. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest