Universal Sports to Provide LIVE Multiplatform Coverage of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

October 8, 2008 from press release -- Universal Sports will provide LIVE coverage of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 12 at 9 a.m. ET. Fans worldwide can tune-in to UniversalSports.com and Universal Sports TV where presenting title sponsor Bank of America and associate sponsor MarathonGuide.com will bring together the world's top marathon runners to compete head-to-head in this coveted race. In addition, Universal Sports will also offer an exclusive webcast of the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil beginning at 7:45 a.m. ET.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon attracts elite athletes from all over the world to run a 26.2-mile route known to be one of the fastest courses in the five marathon majors. Ethiopian favorite Berhane Adere, two-time women's champion, will attempt to win her third race in a row, setting a new world record. Defending Kenyan champion Patrick Ivuti along with compatriots William Kipsang and Emmanuel Mutai are also slated to compete.

Running enthusiasts can visit the marathon section on UniversalSports.com for breaking news, video highlights, special features, photo galleries and more. Universal Sports will also feature "Marathon Madness," a bonus section with extra marathon news and coverage.

Please note the Bank of America Chicago Marathon webcast will be available worldwide, except for the Chicago area as NBC5 is providing local live web and broadcast coverage.

WHAT: Bank of America Chicago Marathon 9:00 a.m. ET
7:00 p.m. ET (repeat - TV only)
IAAF World Half Marathon Championships 7:45 a.m. ET (online only)
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 12
ONLINE: www.UniversalSports.com
TV: Universal Sports Television Network*

*Visit UniversalSports.com for availability of the Universal Sports Network in local TV markets

About Universal Sports
Universal Sports, a partnership between NBC Sports and InterMedia Partners, serves as the preeminent multiplatform destination for Olympic-related and lifestyle sports programming available on television and online. The Universal Sports Network is a 24-hour television channel available in 30 million television households in top markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and more. UniversalSports.com delivers an immersive experience via live and on-demand competition coverage, interaction with top athletes through blogs and in-depth access to sports news and information year round.

Offering over 1,000 live events, with more than 7,000 hours of annual original event programming including an excess of 5,000 hours of archival programming, Universal Sports delivers the content sports participants and fans want whenever, wherever they are. Whether in front of the television, online, on a mobile device or listening to satellite radio, Universal Sports provides comprehensive coverage of more than 60 sports disciplines. Currently Universal Sports holds exclusive long-term programming agreements across a number of key International Sports Federations; including the International Rowing Federation (FISA), International Swimming Federation (FINA), International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), International Ski Federation (FIS), the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

Major championship and Olympic qualifying events found on Universal Sports ranges from Track and Field, Skiing, Swimming, Gymnastics and Cycling, to Volleyball, Karate and Taekwondo. Along with event coverage, Universal Sports gives participants and fans a complete value-added content offering, allowing them to interact with their favorite world-class champions, as well as become familiar with up-and-coming athletes through the site's blogs and interviews. For more information, please visit www.UniversalSports.com.