News20 Jul 2017


Rupp and Hasay lead US entries for Chicago Marathon

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Galen Rupp in action in the marathon (© Getty Images)

Organisers of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon have announced that two-time Olympic medallist Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay will lead a deep field of US contenders at the IAAF Gold Label road race on 8 October.

Rupp made his marathon debut in 2016 by winning the US Olympic Marathon Trials. In 2012 Rupp became the first US man since 1964 to land on the 10,000m podium, taking the silver medal. He added to his Olympic medal haul in Rio last year when taking the bronze medal in the marathon.

Sam Chelanga, a two-time NCAA champion in the 5000m and 10,000m, will make his second attempt at the marathon distance. Chelanga started 2017 strongly, winning 10km races in San Juan and New York. In between those triumphs, he finished 11th at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Luke Puskedra made a breakthrough at the 2015 Chicago Marathon, smashing his PB by five minutes and stopping the clock in 2:10:24.

Jeffrey Eggleston, who has a PB of 2:10:52, has represented the US in the marathon at the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World Championships, finishing as high as 13th in 2013.

Aaron Braun, Diego Estrada and Andrew Bumbalough also bring strong personal bests to this year’s US line-up, while Chris Derrick and Noah Droddy will be making their marathon debuts.

Hasay finished third at this year’s Boston Marathon in 2:23:00, the fastest marathon debut ever by a US woman. Prior to that, the former track specialist clocked a PB of 1:07:55 at the Prague Half Marathon.

Becky Wade and Sarah Crouch will be aiming to take their PBs below 2:30, while Alia Gray, Danna Herrick and Dot McMahan add further depth to the US field.

“Galen and Jordan are huge talents who have the ability to capture podium finishes,” said executive race director Carey Pinkowski. “The last time we had an American male and female place in the top three together was 1996. We have a deep field of Americans who can shake things up this year.”

In addition, 1984 Olympic champion Joan Benoit Samuelson will toe the line in an attempt to become the first woman aged 60 or older to run a marathon within three hours.

“Storytelling is important to me and it’s how I motivate myself,” Samuelson said. “My race decisions often reflect my narrative. Once I turned 60, I knew that the Chicago Marathon would represent the next chapter in my career.”

Organisers for the IAAF

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