His knee. His ankle. His foot. His hamstring. For two years, pieces of Khalid Khannouchi’s anatomy crumbled.
“A year ago, I thought I was done,” he said Thursday.
A year later, Khannouchi is back as a favorite in Sunday’s 27th running of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.
Five months into a high-level training program, the four-time Chicago champion, American record-holder and former world record-holder said he is healed and ready to challenge for another title.
“It’s a blessing from God,” said Khannouchi, whose fastest marathon is 2 hours 5 minutes 42 seconds. “I’m all banged up, but I’m still here.”
Khannouchi, who at 5 feet 5 inches and 120 pounds has the perfect build for top-level distance running, was born in Morocco and became an American citizen in 2000. He became a popular runner in Chicago by winning in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002 and placing second in ’98.
Yet Khannouchi, who missed the 2003 race because of injury, has not represented the U.S. at the Olympic Games and has been criticized for not trying hard enough to do so.
“That’s absurd,” he said, bristling at any suggestion that he shirked making a maximum effort. “I haven’t been prepared for two years. I wish I was healthy enough to represent my country and myself.”
Khannouchi, 32, of Ossining, N.Y., said he is well enough to compete now. He will join a cast of 40,000 racers at the starting line at 8 a.m. seeking a share of the $650,000 purse, the largest in the sport. Men’s and women’s winners will be paid $125,000 each, and race officials estimate that 1.25 million spectators will line the route. Runners will represent all 50 states and 121 countries, with 13,000 from Illinois.
Defending champion Evans Rutto, 26, of Kenya ran 2:05:50 last year. Race director Carey Pinkowski said he believes he can go faster.
“I think he was well within himself last year,” Pinkowski said. “I think he could have run a minute faster if pressed.”
Pinkowski also said he thinks Khannouchi has more in him.
“I don’t think he’s ever gone deep to the well,” Pinkowski said.
The world record of 2:04:55 was set by Kenya’s Paul Tergat at Berlin in September 2003. Breaking the world record here would produce a $300,000 bonus.
Another threat is Daniel Njenga, 28, third last year and second in 2002, when he ran a personal best of 2:06:16. Njenga, who is from Kenya but lives in Tokyo, said he is looking for favorable weather.
“If there is no wind,” he said, “we can have a fast time.”
Njenga said he believes Khannouchi is back in top form.
“I think he is now fine,” Njenga said. “I saw him running well today.”
Khannouchi is glad to be running at all. Although he had a peak training week of 130 miles, Khannouchi said he must rest more these days and put in five months of preparation instead of three. He declined to predict his finish but said he is ready.
“Winning is definitely the priority,” Khannouchi said. “I always have confidence here. A year ago I couldn’t just go and jog. I felt, `It’s over.’ But it’s not over.”
