Galen Rupp and Mo Farah are among nine sub 2:07 men set to race at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7, while five female athletes have run inside 2:21.

Farah, the British marathon record holder, and his former training partner Rupp, who won the Chicago Marathon last year, will be joined by Ethiopian duo Mosinet Geremew and Birhanu Legese on the start line, alongside a strong Kenyan contingent of Dickson Chumba, Abel Kirui, Kenneth Kipkemoi, Bernard Kipyego and Geoffrey Kirui.

Much loved Boston Marathon champion Yuki Kawauchi is also among the leading entries.

Farah heads into his third marathon after a confidence boosting win at the Great North Run last month, which followed on from his memorable London Marathon performance in April, where he clocked 2:06:21 to break the British marathon record.

Photo: Virgin Money London Marathon

Rupp, who became the first American male to win in Chicago since Khannouchi in 2002, will defend his title after a superb year on the roads.

RELATED: Galen Rupp and Tirunesh Dibaba clinch Chicago marathon titles

In May, the 32 year-old won the Prague Marathon in a personal best time of 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.

Two months earlier he ran 59:47 at the Rome Half Marathon, missing out on the American record by four seconds.

Elsewhere, Kenya’s Chumba, who set his personal best 2:04:32 at the Chicago Marathon in 2014, makes his fourth appearance in the windy city on Sunday.

Chumba came back to win in 2015 and while he tried to defend his title in 2016, he came up three seconds short, finishing second to compatriot Kirui.

Kirui, who has a PB of 2:05:04, literally danced across the finish line when he won in Chicago in 2016, defeating a strong field in a tactical race. He returned in 2017 to defend his title, but he failed to match Galen Rupp’s kick at the end.

Ethiopian duo Geremew and Legese bring both youth and speed to a competitive international field. Geremew started 2018 with a bang, breaking the course record in Dubai and posting a personal best 2:04:00 and is the fastest in the field.

Legese, the youngest athlete in this year’’s elite field, opened the year by making his marathon debut in Dubai, finishing sixth in a swift 2:04:15.

Top women’s field despite American withdrawals

In the women’s field, Kenya’s Kosgei returns and will aim to go one better after finishing second to Tirunesh Dibaba in 2017.

Kosgei smashed her personal best running 2:20:22 last year and nine weeks later, she won the Honolulu Marathon in 2:22:15, a course record by over five minutes. Most recently, she finished second in London in a new best, 2:20:13.

Florence Kiplagat, a two-time winner in Chicago, returns to the city after dropping out of the race last year. She has not competed in 2018 so Sunday will mark her return to competition.

A months ago running fans were set to witness a strong American battle, however, following the withdrawals of Jordan Hasay and Amy Cragg, the USA’s hopes rest on the shoulders of Laura Thweatt and Gwen Jorgensen.

Thweatt has a marathon PB of 2:25:38, while triathlon Olympic champion Jorgensen competes in her first serious marathon after turning her attention solely to running.

Photo: Talbot Cox

RELATED: Gwen Jorgensen: lights, camera, action

Ethiopia’s Roza Dereje will also be on the Chicago start line. Dereje impressed in Dubai to start her 2018 season, taking down the course record and setting a three-minute PB, 2:19:17, to become the eighth fastest woman in history.

Birhane Dibaba took home a pair of third-place finishes in Chicago in 2014 and 2015, and she arrives with something only 27 women have accomplished in history: a sub 2:20 PB. Dibaba joined this exclusive club after winning the Tokyo Marathon this winter in 2:19:51.

Meanwhile, Greek Olympian Alexi Pappas is set to make her marathon debut. Pappas, who holds dual Greek and American citizenship, is familiar with Chicago’ having won the 2015 and 2016 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K.

Pappas had an impressive Olympic debut performance in the 10,000m at Rio 2016 setting the Greek national record in 31:36.16. The 28 year-old recently spoke to Fast Running ahead of her marathon debut and said the Greek record of 2:33:40 would be on her radar.

RELATED: Alexi Pappas is ready to make her marathon debut

Other notable athletes include Britain’s Aly Dixon, Denmark’s Jessica Draskau Petersson, Mexico’s Vianey De la Rosa and Dayna Pidhoresky of Canada.

Sunday’s action in Chicago gets underway at 1:20pm (UK time). The races can be watched live online here.

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The post Galen Rupp and Mo Farah set to battle in Chicago appeared first on Fast Running.

Alexi Pappas debuts at the Chicago Marathon next month amongst a fascinating lineup that includes Bowerman Track Club’s Gwen Jorgensen and Laura Thweatt.

The Greek 10,000m national record holder has been preparing for the 26.2 miles at Mammoth Lakes whilst writing her first book of essays and getting married.

Pappas is no stranger to balancing her passions as a professional runner and writer. In 2016, she competed at the Rio Olympics whilst co-writing, directing and starring in the feature film, Track Town.

The 28 year-old has been under the mentorship of American marathon record holder Deena Kastor ahead of her first race over the historic distance and is now raring to go.

Fast Running talked to the Greek-American long-distance runner about her preparation for the Chicago Marathon, plus sleep, steak, setbacks and the importance of role models.

Fast Running: Congratulations on getting married! How have you found balancing wedding planning, writing and training for Chicago?

Alexi Pappas: As with everything I do,  I approach it with the attitude that it’s all a choice – so my energy is one of joy and gratitude, even if I have a few goals on my plate.

My day to day is always very scheduled, with my running commitments taking priority and coming first. The creative work and wedding planning fitting in when I am not training, napping, or fuelling!

FR: Do you think it’s important for professional runners to have a career outside of sport?

AP: I think it’s all very personal. For me, it’s been a positive addition to my running to have another outlet and career.

It’s been healthy to have something to ‘end practice’ and focus on besides running since we can’t run 24 hours a day. One day, I hope to put more of my time into my other (creative) career, but for now, running is number one.

FR: You’ve previously competed as a 10,000m athlete, how have you found the transition into marathon training?

AP: Marathon training is much more about the unglamorous strength work, rather than the speed work.

The day I am most nervous for is the long run, which is a new feeling!

Photo: Sarah Attar

FR: What’s it like being part of the Mammoth Track Club and being coached by Andrew and Deena Kastor? Do you think these types of elite training groups are contributing to the success of American distance running?

AP: Training under Andrew Kastor and alongside Deena Kastor is a gift. They’ve experienced and seen so much in the marathon world, and they’re here for us (the team).

Andrew is beyond thoughtful about our training and learning from all that he has seen in Deena’s and other runners’ careers. Yes, these groups are positive feedback loops, everyone lifts everyone else up.

Plus, a 20 mile long run can be very lonely, but better with a team, and the best with Deena!

FR: What has been your favourite workout in your marathon build up?

AP: I honestly love when we jump on the track one time a week for speed work. I love it because it’s the most ‘different’ day of the week. It shakes things up and keeps my mind alert!

Most of our runs are long and arduous but the speed work reminds me of that competitive spirit… the feeling of running as fast as you can always makes me really happy.

FR: What is your least favourite workout?

AP: The most challenging workout for me (I still like it) is our super long tempo runs, they are very mentally and physically challenging. But I know I get the most out of them so I love them in the hard way.

FR: How do you nail your recovery?

AP: I have never slept so much in my life as I have during this build-up! I go to sleep whenever I think I can fall asleep.

I also take recovery smoothie or milkshake with carbs (UCAN is my recovery carb of choice to add to the post workout drink). For meals, I literally eat whatever I’m craving.

Sometimes it’s pancakes, other times it’s a steak. I know my body will tell me what I need and will do wonders for me if I can listen to it.

FR: You are a role model to many young female athletes. You regularly give advice and motivational poems to your dedicated following of ‘Bravies’. Do you think it’s important to have strong female role models in sport?

AP: It’s a gift to have role models to look up to and it’s always been my goal as an athlete to find and learn from my role models. Role models can help us feel more confident in ourselves and give us permission to believe in ourselves.

My role models have literally shown me, simply by being themselves and letting me be around them, how I can be what I want to be. It’s a privilege and responsibility.

I hope I can be a role model for runners everywhere, Greece included. In Greece, there is still so much impact I can have as a female distance runner, and I’m honoured to add to the tradition where long distance running (and the marathon) was born!

Photo: Sarah Attar

FR: Who is your role model and how have they influenced you as a runner?

AP: Deena Kastor is my role model. She shows me how to work hard and also how to stop and smell the flowers, literally. Deena showed me how to have purpose with each day.

A hard day is a hard day. And easy day is an easy day. It seems simple but a lot of us overcomplicate running until we see that the very best keep it very simple.

FR: Could you tell us about your approach to being injured, like you were in 2017?

AP: I had my first side-lining injury of my life in 2017, I think due to stress. But for me, it was the first extended break (longer than a traditional break) that I’ve had since high school.

It was very challenging in the moment, and of course I was frustrated when I was injured, but now I have rewritten that perspective in my mind. I know it was for the best.

I took that time to rejuvenate, learn how I can be more durable while living at 8,000 ft, and also pursue creative projects I couldn’t have otherwise done. I think… it’s all good; we just have to find the good in it all.

FR: How would you describe your racing approach?

AP: It depends race to race. In Chicago, my coach will advise me on how to approach the first 20 miles or so of the race and I’ll listen to whatever he says!

FR: As the Greek 10,000m record holder (31.36), do you have the marathon record in mind (2.33.40)?

AP: Absolutely.

FR: The marathon is renowned for being mentally tough. Do you have a strategy to get through bad patches?

AP: I tell myself to stay. Also, I will think of Deena Kastor and all that she has taught me.

The good kind of pain (not injury pain) is welcomed, in her mind and now, in mine.

FR: What is your race bucket list?

AP: I’d love to race New York City Marathon someday.

FR: 
How did you know you were ready for the marathon?

AP: I had coaches who believed I could be great in the marathon, and I’ve always listened to my coaches.

FR: Lastly, is there a race that you will reflect back on to give you confidence for the marathon?

AP: I think I’ll reflect on specific workouts to give me confidence. I’ve grown so much during this build-up and pushed through some truly painful workouts.

I started this training block pretty out of shape and I’ve seen how far I’ve come, so I’ll use my work during this build-up as proof to myself I can push through when the pain sets in next month in Chicago.

RELATED: A look ahead to the Chicago Marathon

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The post Alexi Pappas is ready to make her marathon debut appeared first on Fast Running.

Following the previous announcement of defending champion Galen Rupp, Britain’s marathon record holder Mo Farah, Jordan Hasay and surprise Boston Marathon 2018 winner Yuki Kawauchi, organisers have announced further stars who will take on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7.

Among the athletes revealed for the 41st edition of the race are past champions Abel Kirui and Dickson Chumba, 2017 runner-up Brigid Kosgei and two-time podium finisher Birhane Dibaba, while Olympian Alexi Pappas will make an exciting marathon debut.

This year’’s elite field includes 11 men who have run 2:07 or faster and nine women (including three Americans) who have run 2:25 or faster.

Moreover, it features five of the top eight men who placed on top of the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series XI leaderboard and two of the top seven women.

““We have put together an exciting elite field, and it should be a fast race to the top of the podium,”” said Bank of America Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “”This year’’s elite field is a collection of some of the best international and American athletes running on the global stage today.”

Among those joining Rupp, Farah, Kawauchi and Suguru Osako in the men’s field is Kenya’s Chumba, who set his personal best 2:04:32 in Chicago in 2014 when he finished third on a historic day that witnessed three of the top five times ever run in Chicago (Chumba is the fifth fastest runner in Chicago’’s history).

Chumba came back to win in 2015 and while he tried to defend his title in 2016, he came up three seconds short, finishing second to compatriot Kirui, who also returns in October.

Kirui, who has a PB of 2:05:04, literally danced across the finish line when he won in Chicago in 2016, defeating a strong field in a tactical race that saw erratic pace swings from 4:33 per mile to 5:24. He returned in 2017 to defend his title, but he failed to match Galen Rupp’s kick at the end.

Ethiopian duo Mosinet Geremew and Birhanu Legese bring both youth and speed to a competitive international field. Geremew started 2018 with a bang, breaking the course record in Dubai and posting a fresh personal best, 2:04:00. He has run south of the hour mark four times in the half marathon, and he is a four-time winner of the Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon.

Legese, the youngest athlete in this year’’s elite field, opened the year by making his marathon debut in Dubai, finishing sixth in a swift 2:04:15, while Kenneth Kipkemoi, Paul Lonyangata, Geoffrey Kirui, Bedan Karoki, Stephen Sambu and Augustine Choge (KEN) continue the marathon’s tradition of welcoming strong athletes from Kenya to the windy city.

Steller women’s field

In the women’s field, Kenya’s Kosgei returns and will aim to go one better after finishing second to Tirunesh Dibaba in 2017.

Kosgei smashed her personal best running 2:20:22 last year and nine weeks later, she won the Honolulu Marathon in 2:22:15, a course record by over five minutes. Most recently, she finished second in London in a new best, 2:20:13.

The leading American athletes have previously been announced including three of the fastest women in U.S. history, Jordan Hasay (2:20:57), Amy Cragg (2:21:42) and Laura Thweatt (2:25:38).

Ethiopia’s Roza Dereje will also be on the Chicago start line. Dereje impressed in Dubai to start her 2018 season, taking down the course record and setting a three-minute PB, 2:19:17, to become the eighth fastest woman in history.

Birhane Dibaba took home a pair of third-place finishes in Chicago in 2014 and 2015, and she arrives with something only 27 women have accomplished in history: a sub 2:20 PB. Dibaba joined this exclusive club after winning the Tokyo Marathon this winter in 2:19:51.

Japan’s Yuka Ando made headlines in 2017 (just shy of her 23rd birthday) when she clocked the fastest ever debut marathon by a Japanese woman, 2:21:36, at the Nagoya Marathon.

Meanwhile, Alexi Pappas announced her debut on Instagram, writing: “I’ve broken tape in Chicago, paced the 26.2, I’m coming back this October to chase what I dream to do: my MARATHON DEBUT! I’ll see you on the startline. You bravies, you.”

Pappas, a 2016 Olympian (she holds dual Greek and American citizenship), is familiar with the energy and enthusiasm of Chicago’s running community. She won the 2015 and 2016 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K, but her first experience in Chicago was the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon where she led a group of U.S. Olympic Trials hopefuls as a pacer.

I've broken tape in Chicago paced the 26.2 I'm coming back this October to chase what I dream to do: my MARATHON DEBUT! I'll see you on the startline You bravies, you. #chicagomarathon #mychicagomarathon

A post shared by @ alexipappas on Jul 22, 2018 at 8:24am PDT

Pappas experienced an impressive Olympic debut performance in the 10,000m. She set the Greek national record and a new PR to finish 17th in 31:36.16.

Mexico’s Madai Perez also returns to Chicago after a successful run in 2017 clocking 2:24:44 to finish in fourth place.

Other notable athletes include Jessica Draskau Petersson (DEN) with a personal best of 2:30:07; Vianey De la Rosa (MEX) with a personal best of 2:32:01; Dayna Pidhoresky (CAN) with a personal best of 2:36:08; and Hiruni Wijayaratne (SRI) with a personal best of 2:36:35.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Mo Farah and Galen Rupp have tough competition in Chicago appeared first on Fast Running.