by Larry Eder
This event happened in the Brooks Hyperion House Chicago (401 North Michigan, Chicago, Illinois). Like many brands, Brooks established a pop-up, to celebrate the Chicago Marathon and meet fans of Brooks. It was a fantastic spot, right next to the Apple Store in Chicago, a perfect site for the brand.
The presser was emceed by Clara Nichols, Brooks sports marketing team. Clara is a natural, and has an easy demeanor, doing the question and answer and keeping the event interesting for the audience and moving for the athletes. A nice combination of questions from Clara and questions from the fans.
Here’s a little info on the athletes on the panel:
Emily Infeld: Emily came on the scene in 2015, winning a World Championships bronze medal in the 10,000 meters in Beijing World Champs, by keeping her cool at the end of the race and using her super finish! Ten years later, in 2025, Emily Infeld wins the 10,000m at the US Championships, in the final stretch, with Elise Cranny taking second. Many were surprised by Emily’s running, but truth is, Emily has battled injuries and setbacks, always staying focused on the prize, making US teams. Emily Infeld went to Tokyo, finished 14th in the 10,000m in the hot and humid weather, in 31:47.65.
Susanna Sullivan: Susanna Sullivan is a school teacher who runs marathons for Brooks. At the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Susanna Sullivan signed a contract with Brooks after her 2023 performance with London Marathon, where she ran 2:24:27. Susanna placed 58th in the World Champs Budapest 2023, where she incurred an injury. Susanna Sullivan experienced Covid 19 just the week prior to the 2024 Olympic Trials. Training well, Susanna came back at 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where she ran 2:21:56, a brilliant race that gave Susanna confidence in her racing and focus! In Tokyo, Susanna Sullivan lead through half-way, moving into 4th place near the end of the hot and humid race in Tokyo, running 2:28:17!
Erika Kemp: Erika Kemp made her dream a reality on January 19, 2025, when she ran a Personal Best of 11 minutes, and one second over the marathon distance with her 2:22:56 at the Chevron Houston Marathon 2025, where she took second! Erika Kemp has been running for Brooks for several years. A long resume, with her 2021 US 20k Road Champs win, and PBs of 15:14.76 at 5,000m and 31:28.69 at the Sound Running Ten (10,000m), held on March 16, 2025. That 2:22 put Erika as the 12th best American of all times. In Tokyo, Erika Kemp had a rough one, dealing with the heat and humidity at the Tokyo World Championships, placing 52nd in 2:50.35.
The media event was well attended with lots of marathoners and Brooks fans. The panel spent an hour telling the viewers about the challenges of the Tokyo 2025, the differences between a World Championship style marathon and a World Marathon Masters marathon, and how they felt competing in the 10,000m (for Infeld) and the marathon (Sullivan and Kemp).
(My apologies on the rambling with the video, I am submitting it to our production guru, and will repost once it is done).
The best way to watch the video is to open it to full size.
