by Larry Eder
Road to Olympics Runs through the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K
for U.S. Marathoner Abdi Abdirahman
Two-Time Champion Tera Moody Returns to Hometown Race; Change in Wave
Starting Process and “Mike and Joe” to
Headline Post-Race Party in Grant Park
CHICAGO – The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K today announced that 2012
U.S. Olympic Marathon team member Abdi Abdirahman will take part in Chicago’s
annual kick off to the running season on Sunday, March 25. He will lead the way
for 40,000 runners at the 33rd annual event that runs through
downtown Chicago. Abdirahman is preparing to represent Team USA in the marathon
at this summer’s Olympic Games and using the Shamrock Shuffle as a starting
point to his training after his taking a period of rest after the Trials in
January. The Shamrock Shuffle 8K factors in as a fun, flat and fast competition
in a city that has been instrumental in launching his marathon career.
“The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K is first and foremost a
tradition for Chicagoans to put on their running shoes after a long winter and
celebrate the arrival of spring, but we’re also proud of the event’s legacy of
elite level racing, which continues with the addition of Abdi to this year’s
field,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “Abdi has world-class
track credentials and is a three-time Olympian in the 10,000 meters, so it will
be fun to watch him put his leg speed to the test on our flat and fast 8K
course.”
Abdirahman qualified for this fourth U.S. Olympic team with a third place
finish at the Olympic Trials Marathon on January 14. He previously competed in
the 10,000 meters at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Games. At the 2006 Bank of America
Chicago Marathon, Abdirahman finished fourth overall in a personal best
2:08:56. After visiting Chicago to help kick off registration for the 2012 Bank
of America Chicago Marathon on February 1, Abdirahman, who resides in Tucson,
Ariz., is rapidly becoming a fan-favorite among the local running community.
“The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K will be my first competitive
race since the Olympic Trials, and I can’t wait to put my racing flats back on
and get my season started along with 40,000 other runners in Chicago,” said
Abdirahman. “I really enjoyed my time here earlier in the month and got to meet
many of the local runners. I definitely feel the enthusiasm and support of the
Chicago running community and that is something I am going to soak up at the
Shamrock Shuffle and take with me all the way to the Olympic Games. I am
anxious to go head-to-head again after taking some time off to recover from the
Trials.”
Joining Abdirahman on the start line will be two-time Bank of America
Shamrock Shuffle 8K champion Tera Moody of Colorado Springs, Colo. Originally from
St. Charles, Ill., Moody was a star performer at St. Charles High School and a
two-time Illinois state champion in the 1,600 meters. Moody, who placed 10th
at the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a personal best 2:30:53, is on
the comeback trail from an injury that held her out of the U.S. Olympic Trials
Marathon in January. She has twice represented the U.S. at the World
Championships Marathon, leading the American squad with a 17th place
finish last summer in Daegu, South Korea.
Local Favorites “Mike and
Joe” to Headline Post-Race Party
Local favorites “Mike and Joe” will perform live music from 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. at the traditional Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K Post-Race Party at
Buckingham Fountain, marking one of the first live outdoor music performances
of the season. The Post-Race Party is free and all participants, friends,
family and community members are welcome to attend the celebration.
Participants age 21 and over can redeem the tear-off portion of their bib
number for a complimentary Michelob ULTRA beer. Additional food and drinks will
be available for purchase.
About the
Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K
Long recognized as an
annual rite of spring and the kick-off to the outdoor running season in
Chicago, the 33rd annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K takes runners on a scenic tour
of downtown Chicago, starting and finishing in Grant Park. The race
will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday,
March 25, and will conclude
with live musical entertainment by “Mike and Joe” at the traditional Post-Race Party in Grant Park. In advance of
the event, the two-day Bank
of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K Health
& Fitness Expo will take place at Navy Pier on Friday, March 23, and
Saturday, March 24, featuring
more than 80 industry-related exhibitors. The Health & Fitness Expo is free
and open to the public. For more information about the event and how to get
involved, go to shamrockshuffle.com.
