Olympian Kastor to run Chicago marathon

CHICAGO, June 17 (UPI) -- Two-time U.S. Olympian Deena Kastor will launch her comeback at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October, race officials announced Wednesday.

Kastor won a bronze medal in Athens in 2004 but was forced out of last year's Olympic marathon in China due to a broken foot.

The 36-year-old Californian ran for the first time since Beijing last month when she won the Great Edinburgh Run 10-K in Scotland. Chicago will be her first attempt at a full marathon on her healed foot and a major step toward competing in the 2012 London games.

Kastor, who holds the U.S. women's record for the marathon, said in a written statement that she has a high comfort level with the Chicago race, which she won in 2005. "Chicago sets itself above other marathons in the United States in that it is the fastest, which is a big reason I am returning this fall," Kastor said.

The race will be held Oct. 11 with the start and finish located in Grant Park.