The Bank of America Chicago Marathon today announced that U.S. Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein will return to the site of his breakthrough performance by competing in the 36 ^th annual event on October 13. Last fall, the Midwest native thrilled his regional fan base by finishing as the top American in Chicago and improving his marathon best by more than two minutes. His decision to return is fueled by the desire to set his sights even higher in 2013. Before culminating with the Chicago Marathon, Ritzenhein will kick off his outdoor racing season at the 34 ^th Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K on April 7, marking his first appearance at Chicago’s popular spring road race.

“After his breakthrough race last fall, it became a priority for us to have Dathan back on the start line for the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “It’s clear that he has discovered a winning formula for the marathon and Chicago fits into that plan. What I’m most excited about is now that Dathan has a comfort level with the marathon distance and with our event, I think you’re going to see a supremely confident and fit athlete mixing it up with a world-class field on October 13.”

Ritzenhein is coming off a career year in 2012, highlighted by a 13 ^th -place finish in the Olympic 10,000-meter final as a member of his third Olympic team, and a ninth-place finish at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a personal best 2:07:47, making him the third-fastest American of all-time. Prior to Chicago, his previous marathon best was 2:09:55 at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. His 2013 season will mirror that of 2012 by skipping a spring marathon and focusing his efforts on the outdoor track season and a bid to represent Team USA at the 2013 World Track & Field Championships in Moscow, Russia, before taking his speed to the flat and fast streets of Chicago.

To jumpstart his outdoor racing campaign, Ritzenhein will headline the 2013 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K, leading the way for 40,000 runners as they usher in spring in Chicago. Growing up less than 200 miles from Chicago in Rockford, Mich., he can appreciate what the arrival of spring means to runners across the Midwest. The Shamrock Shuffle will also serve as an opportunity for the Portland, Ore.-based athlete to prepare for his fall marathon, as the course includes segments of the Chicago Marathon route, including the start and finish lines in Grant Park.

“After a huge breakthrough at last year’s race, I’m excited to come back for the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon,” said Ritzenhein. “I hope to continue the success I had last year with my eyes focused on the podium. Dropping my PR down to 2:07:47 gives me the confidence now to race with the best, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to do that on October 13. I love racing in Chicago, and competing at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K this spring will give me another opportunity to do that, and will be a great springboard to build momentum for the Chicago Marathon. I’m looking forward to hitting the streets of Chicago this year and to keep breaking down barriers.”

Registration for the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will open online at www.chicagomarathon.com on Tuesday, February 19, at noon (CST). The cost of entry is $175 for U.S. participants and $200 for participants outside of the U.S. Registration will close when the 45,000-participant capacity is reached.

Registration for the 2013 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K is currently open online at www.shamrockshuffle.com . The cost of entry is $45. Registration will close when the 40,000-participant capacity is reached.

NOTE: In advance of Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration opening, Ritzenhein will appear in Chicago for a registration kickoff event on Monday, February 18. For additional details on the appearance or to coordinate an interview with Ritzenhein, please contact Lauren Wood at lauren@teamworksmedia.com .

About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

In its 36 ^th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a world-class elite runner and wheelchair athlete field, and an estimated 1.7 million spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, the iconic race assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $219 million in annual economic impact to its host city according to a report by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.). The 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 13. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to www.chicagomarathon.com .

About the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K

Long recognized as an annual rite of spring and the kickoff to the outdoor running season in Chicago, the 34th annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K takes runners on a scenic tour of downtown Chicago, starting and finishing in Grant Park. New in 2013, the event will host the USATF National Club Team 8 km Championships for elite-level USATF-member running clubs from across the country. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, and will conclude with live music at the traditional Post-Race Party in Grant Park. In advance of the event, the two-day Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Health & Fitness Expo will take place at Navy Pier on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, featuring more than 80 industry-related exhibitors. The Health & Fitness Expo is free and open to the public. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to www.shamrockshuffle.com .

Visit the Bank of America newsroom for more Bank of America news .