October 19, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Heather May and Stephanie Dueringer will race at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 22. The Invaders duo are aiming to meet the qualifying standard for the 2008 Olympic Trials Marathon of 2 hours and 47 minutes.

May, working toward a PhD in Theatre & Drama at Indiana University, was a 2004 Olympic Trials Marathon competitor for the Invaders. May has a marathon career best of 2:46:37. This will be her first appearance at the Chicago Marathon.

Dueringer, a graduate of Michigan State University and a three-time NCAA All-American is coming off of a 13th place finish in the USA Track & Field National 10,000 meter championship from June of 2006. This will be Dueringer's first marathon race since fully returning from injury to a national class level of fitness.

Both May and Dueringer are coming off recent comfortable road racing wins in preparation for this weekend's big Olympic Trials qualifying opportunity. On October 1st, 2006 May won the Q95 Rock'n Run 30K race in Indianapolis while Dueringer was winning the Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon on the same day, both with personal bests times.

Coach and Team Director Greg Harger said, "May & Dueringer are looking to execute a race plan that focuses on meeting the Olympic Trials qualifying standard. With an early qualifying mark on the board this would allow them to continue their training with a focus on the Olympic Trials race in April 2008.". Harger added, "We hope to have our first two 2008 Olympic Trials qualifiers this weekend but as they know, any marathon effort is full of many challenges both physical and mental. They are up to the challenge."

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998, presents an innovative approach to track & field by providing a resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in the United States.