Morocco's Khannouchi: big name in Chicago Marathon

Moroccan Khalid Khannouchi will be the biggest name and fastest runner in Sunday's Chicago Marathon.

But the race is famous for producing surprises. "It's wide open," said Khannouchi, who ran the 1997 best time of 2 hours 7 minutes, 10 seconds in Chicago. "I'm ready."

Moses Tanui of Kenya, Gert Thys of South Africa and Jerry Lawson of the United States are the other racers who will try to shatter the world record (2:06:05).

"Tanui is a great strategist, but I think Khalid has the edge in two ways," Rodgers, an organizer, says. "One, I think he can outkick Moses. That's like his secret weapon. Two, I think he hasn't raced as much. He doesn't have as many marathons in his legs. Moses could beat him."