The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has done one of the smartest pr releases I have seen. They have announced, quite early, the return of two Americans to the sites of their finest marathon runs.
Galen Rupp is the defending champion of 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Galen Rupp battled Abel Kirui, two time World Champion, and put a charge in over the last 12 kilometers that showed Rupp has the wheels to run a World Marathon Majors. Rupp debuted at the 2016 Marathon Trials, which he won. In his second marathon, Rupp was the bronze medalist in the Olympic marathon. In his third marathon, with some injury challenges, Rupp took second in 2017 Boston. HIs win in Chicago was his first Marathon Majors victory. Galen Rupp dropped out of Boston around 19 miles in the harsh weather, suffering from asthma. He came back three weeks later, to win Prague Marathon in 2:06:07, the second fastest time by an American (remember Khalid Khannouchi?). Now, Galen is focusing for Chicago, a course he knows and a course that is fast.
Galen Rupp leads Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2:09:20, photo courtesy of Bank of America
For Jordan Hasay, Jordan returns to Chicago, where she ran 2:20:57 for third place in the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Jordan Hasay has run two marathons, Boston 2017 and Chicago 2017. She pulled out of Boston 2018 with some foot issues and is just getting back to running. We wish her great luck. Jordan Hasay ran a gutty race in Chicago, staying close to Tirunesh Dibaba, and finishing third, taking two minutes off her 2:23:00 debut.
Jordan Hasay, third place, 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, photo by Bank of America
Why is this a savvy move? The media has not paid attention in many of the major marathons in US without US winners. The problem is multi level. The races do little to tell the story and allow elite marathoners, some who speak little or no English, to develop a rapport with media. Just look at Chicago last year, then, New York with Shalane Flanagan and now, Boston with Desi LInden. If any of those race do not figure out that they must push American elite marathoners over all else, then, they are delusional.
Chicago had several years where, many media believed the races just called in the performances. That changed in 2017, with Rupp and Hasay running so well. See you in Chicago on October 7, 2018!
Marathon Debut Record Holder Jordan Hasay Will Return to Run the
2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
CHICAGO – The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that defending champion and three-time Olympic medalist Galen Rupp and American marathon debut record-holder Jordan Hasay will compete for top honors at the 41st annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7. Last October, Rupp and Hasay became the first American duo to finish in the top three since Jerry Lawson and Kristy Johnston took home a pair of second-place finishes in 1996.
“Galen and Jordan are leading an exciting American resurgence in the marathon, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to Chicago this coming fall,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “Galen won in a decisive move last year and just dominated a talented men’s field. He’s a phenomenal athlete who has taken his track speed to the roads with incredible success. Jordan ran with pure guts and she was rewarded with a podium finish and the fastest American time ever run on Chicago’s course. She has found her distance with the marathon.”
Rupp’s commitment to Chicago comes on the heels of his impressive victory and personal best at the Prague Marathon on May 6. Rupp ran to a convincing win, stopping the clock in 2:06:07 to become the third-fastest American ever (behind Khalid Khannouchi and Ryan Hall) and the second-fastest American on a record-eligible course.
Rupp, the 2016 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist and the 2012 Olympic 10,000m silver medalist, stamped his name in Chicago Marathon history with less than three miles to go last fall to become the first American male to win since Khannouchi broke the tape in 2002, ending a long drought for U.S. men. He finished in 2:09:20. Rupp’s victory added an exclamation point to an already stellar marathon career. He won his inaugural marathon at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, took home a bronze medal in his second 26.2-mile journey in Rio and finished second in Boston in 2017. Rupp, a member of the Nike Oregon Project, currently owns four American records in the 10,000m (26:44.36), indoor 3,000m (7:30.16), indoor two-mile (8:07.41) and indoor 5,000m (13:01.26). He is the 15th-fastest man in history over 10,000m, and his 5000m personal record (PR), 12:58.90, puts him in an exclusive category of American runners – he is one of only six Americans to break 13:00 for the distance. In March, Rupp narrowly missed breaking Ryan Hall’s American record by four seconds in the half marathon, running 59:47 to become only the third American to break 60 minutes and the second-fastest American in history.
“I’m so excited to be returning to Chicago to defend my title,” said Rupp. “I’d like to thank Carey and everyone at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for all the great work they do. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be heading back to the Windy City.”
Hasay, also a member of the Nike Oregon Project, ran bravely in Chicago last fall, hitting the first 10K on course-record pace and hanging on to finish third in the second-fastest time ever recorded by an American woman and the fastest American time ever in Chicago, 2:20:57. Hasay initially turned heads at the 2017 Boston Marathon with a spectacular debut performance. She finished third in 2:23:00, the fastest marathon debut ever by an American woman by almost three minutes; she also turned in the fourth-fastest Boston Marathon time in history by an American woman. Before her headline-grabbing performance in Boston, she ran the third-fastest time ever by an American woman in the half marathon, 1:07:55, at the Prague Half Marathon. Before focusing on the roads in 2016, Hasay cemented her reputation on the track, initially making her name as a 1,500m runner. She was a two-time Foot Locker Cross Country national champion in high school and a 15-time All American at the University of Oregon.
“I’m thrilled to be coming back to Chicago,” said Hasay. “My goal is to target a fast time and contend for the win. As always, I know the race organizers will set up a fantastic event and the people of Chicago will make it a very fun day!”
The 41st annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 7. More than 40,000 runners are expected to line up in Grant Park, cheered on by the thunderous applause of over 1 million spectators. The iconic Chicago course will take runners on a dynamic tour through 29 of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 41st year, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomes thousands of runners from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a world-class elite field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans, debut marathoners and charity runners. The race’s iconic course takes runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural tour of Chicago. Annually, an estimated 1.7 million spectators line the streets cheering on more than 40,000 runners from the start line to the final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race’s national and international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $282 million in annual economic impact to its host city. The 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 7. In advance of the race, a two-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 5, and Saturday, October 6. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to chicagomarathon.com.
