A dominant Mo Farah set a European record of 2:05:11 in recording his first win at the distance at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday (October 7).

The Brit moved rapidly away from Ethiopia’s Mosinet Geremew in the final kilometre, eventually crossing the line 13 seconds clear to clock the fastest ever time by a non-African on a record-legal course.

Wearing a ‘Sir Mo’ bib and looking easy all of the way, Farah produced massively negative splits of 63:06 and 62:05 en route to taking 37 seconds off the continental mark held by Sondre Moen.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei won the women’s race in 2:18:35 with a second half of 68:26.

Congratulations to Brigid Kosgei, the female winner of the 2018 #ChicagoMarathon, with an official time of 2:18:35! pic.twitter.com/h2Gko17f5q

— Chicago Marathon (@ChiMarathon) October 7, 2018

The first half was a little slower than anticipated as a group of 13 runners went through led by Kenya’s Geoffrey Kirui in 63:03. The two favourites, Farah and defending champion Galen Rupp, as well as twice world champion Abel Kirui were among them.

Rupp dropped off the increasing pace at around 37km and soon Farah had only Geremew, this year’s Dubai Marathon winner, for company, as Kenya’s Kenneth Kipkemoi and Japan’s Suguri Osaka followed closely behind.

Farah looked effortless and ready to pounce and he left it until around 600m to go before moving easily away from the Ethiopian, having plenty of time in the finishing straight to wave his arms in celebration.

Taking 70 seconds from the British record he set when finishing third behind Eliud Kipchoge in London this year, his time has only been beaten on record-ratifiable courses by Ethiopian and Kenyan runners. He also holds the European records at 1500m, 10,000m and half-marathon.

Farah said afterwards: “The conditions weren’t great and everyone was thinking about conditions rather than time, but towards the end we picked it up.

“I felt good towards the end of the race. At the beginning I felt a bit sluggish but overall I’m very happy with it.”

In his third serious attempt at the distance, the 10-time outdoor global champion has confirmed himself as one of the world’s best marathoners.

He has not shown himself to be in the same class as recent world-setter Kipchoge but possible match-ups in the World Championships next year and Olympics in 2020 are eagerly awaited.

In third, Osaka set a national record for the marathon-mad nation of Japan, running 2:05:50 to secure a bonus of 100 million yen (approximately £670,000) put up by the Japanese Corporate Track and Field Federation. Behind Kipkemoi (2:05:57), Rupp rallied to finish fifth in 2:06:21.

Kosgei was in a group of five at the front at 25km, joined by compatriot Florence Kiplagat and Ethiopians Roza Dereje, Shure Demise and Birhane Dibaba.

Kosgei pulled clear in the 32knd kilometre from Dereje and Demise and by 35km was already 45 seconds clear. A subsequent 5km split of 15:47 (2:13 marathon pace) put the result beyond doubt and the woman who was second in Chicago last year and in London this year finally had a major marathon win, not to mention a PB of 1:38, to celebrate. Dereje was second in 2:21:18 and Demise third in 2:22:15.

Former world triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen of USA was a notable finisher in 11th in 2:36:23, four places ahead of UK-based Dane Jessica Draskau-Petersson, who ran 2:44:11.

American Joan Samuelson, the first ever women’s Olympic champion, was 16th at the age of 61, her 3:12:13 being outside the targeted world age-group record.

British Olympian Alyson Dixon was a late entry to the race, but dropped out after going through 25km on course for 2:36. Paul Piper was the second Briton overall, clocking 2:25:47.

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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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Amy Cragg has followed fellow American Jordan Hasay in withdrawing from the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7.

Cragg, who won the Chicago Marathon in 2014, informed organisers her withdrawal was due to a setback in her preparations for the race. The 34 year-old won bronze in the marathon at London 2017 and was among the leading entries.

Hasay, the second fastest American woman of all-time, pulled out of the marathon major last week due to a stress fracture in her heel bone.

Photo: Chicago Marathon

Laura Thweatt, who ran 2:25:38 at the London Marathon in 2017, along with Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen now lead the US hopes, while Greek-American athlete Alexi Pappas is also set to make her exciting debut.

RELATED: Alexi Pappas is ready to make her marathon debut

Commonwealth Games sixth-place finisher Aly Dixon is the sole British runner competing in the women’s race, which is headed by Ethiopian athlete Roza Dereje, who clocked 2:19:17 to win the Dubai Marathon at the beginning of the year.

The men’s race still remains stacked with talent and includes defending champion Galen Rupp, British marathon record holder Mo Farah, and Boston Marathon champion, Yuki Kawauchi.

However, Britain’s Rob Mullet, who was set to make his marathon debut withdrew on Friday (September 28) due to an Achilles injury.

The 2016 steeplechase Olympian said on social media: “I was due to run my first marathon in a few weeks at the BOA Chicago Marathon but I have had to withdraw after aggravating my Achilles racing last week in Philadelphia.

“It is very disappointing, to say the least, after the last few months of training I put together. The build-up was something totally new for me. It was challenging and (mostly) enjoyable!”

RELATED: Mo Farah and Galen Rupp to battle at Chicago Marathon

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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.

Everyone should have goals, ambitions and dreams, but most, even those who are the best at their craft, keep the loftier of these ambitions to themselves or only reveal them to their inner circle.

Gwen Jorgensen isn’t your average person or athlete though, and when the reigning Olympic triathlon champion decides to set an almightily high target, she tells the world.

In November 2017, a few months after giving birth to her son, Stanley, the 32 year-old announced she would transition to the marathon determined to win Olympic gold in the running only event.

Jorgensen didn’t say it quietly or aim to give herself a wide window of multiple Olympic cycles to do so. She publicly announced it to all 270,000 of her social media followers and the world. And most impressive of all? She aimed to achieve the feat at the next Games, Tokyo 2020.

“A big goal motivates me,” Jorgensen tells Fast Running. “I find that when I set a big goal, it holds me accountable and excites me for training.”

Photo: Talbot Cox

Putting this in perspective, no American woman has won Olympic gold in the marathon since Joan Benoit Samuelson in 1984. This was also actually the first time women raced over 26.2 miles at the global competition.

Since making the bold announcement, the only American woman to ever win triathlon Olympic gold has been documenting her journey on YouTube and across social media, covering every moment in training and races to life away from running as a new mother.

Team Jorgensen behind the camera

Leading the team behind Jorgensen is her husband Patrick, who wears many hats alongside being a supporting husband. He is an integral part in documenting the journey and driving the ‘Gwen Jorgensen brand’.

Photo: Talbot Cox

“I believed documenting this story was incredibly important as Gwen takes on this challenge,” he says. “I think back to our time spent in triathlon and I would have loved to recall on old footage to relive our story. I also want to show that Gwen is a normal person that works incredibly hard.”

Team Jorgensen has definitely achieved that so far, but what makes the coverage stand out from other athletes who are active online is the level of professionalism in the content produced. From the video editing to the soundtracks in the background, it is ‘Hollywood like’ at times.

“My job is to help steer Gwen to the finish line first, but building and developing her brand is something that is also important,” he continues. “I want to bring a level of professionalism to endurance sport that is usually missing.

“I enjoy watching F1 and the way the drivers connect to fans. I want to create something in endurance sports that will connect with fans the way F1 drivers connect to their fans.

“Earlier in the year, Gwen’s photographer and I had this master plan of all the videos we would capture, but I don’t think we have followed the plan once. We plan all of the logistics but we strive to just document the process and not create.”

Writing the marathon script

To date, Jorgensen has one marathon to her name, which was a few months after the Olympics in 2016. Without any specific marathon training, she debuted with 2:41:01 in New York. Most impressive of all, the Wisconsin native completed a three-race triathlon six days prior.

“I definitely have more miles in my legs now, but I still need a lot more,” she says looking back on her debut marathon. “In triathlon, when I started I needed to just ride to get the miles in the legs. The same is true in running now. I just need to get in the miles, and that will take a lot of time.”

Leaving no stone unturned on her quest to conquer the historic distance, she is training with Amy Cragg, Shalane Flanagan and a host of other talented athletes, under the watchful eye of coach Jerry Schumacher at the Bowerman Track Club. Not bad company at all!

Photo: Talbot Cox

“I like to surround myself with people who are better than me,” she explains. “This shows me what the world standard is and pushes me to step up to their level on a daily basis.

“The Bowerman Track Club is phenomenal. I am so honoured to be a part of the group, especially since I am an unknown. We don’t know what my limits are in running. I believe I have room for a lot of improvement and I’m so thankful Jerry agreed to help me.

“The women on the team are as good as they come. They are welcoming, honest, nice, caring, and thoughtful. I run with the girls daily and always feel refreshed after meeting and running.

“We chat and the runs just fly by. On hard workout days, everyone is uplifting and encouraging. It makes you want to be a better person, just being around them.”

The opening credits

Her first ‘real test’ over 26.2 miles as a full-time marathoner is in Chicago this October, where she forms part of a stellar field that includes Jordan Hasay, training partner Cragg, Mo Farah and Galen Rupp.

RELATED: Gwen Jorgensen set for Chicago Marathon

However, going back, her first race after deciding to focus on the marathon was in February, where she clocked a quick 15:15 over 5000m. Following that she posted an impressive 31:55.68 to win the 10,000m at the Stanford Invite in April, slicing almost two minutes off her previous best.

“I wasn’t looking for a PR at Stanford, instead I wanted to race for the win,” she says. “I was hoping the pace would have been faster, but I was pleased with how I raced tactically.”

That performance was seven months after welcoming her son, Stanley into the world. It was a big moment for Jorgensen, who returned to training seven weeks after giving birth.

When asked about her transition back to running post birth she explains that wasn’t straightforward: “I found it slow. Looking back, it seems like a very fast transition after seven weeks.

“I started run/walking, but it was painfully slow and I didn’t feel like myself. I started back with one minute of running followed by five minutes walking. It took almost another two months to be able to do a continuous 20-minute run.”

Her son celebrated his first birthday in August and when asked if motherhood has changed her outlook on running, sport and life she adds: “My goals are the same after giving birth to Stanley, but I have found if I come home and am worried or stressed, all that disappears the moment I see my son.

“I have never labelled myself as an ‘athlete’ first. I always have thought of myself as a person first, so it’s now nice to just say ‘I’m a mom’ when people ask me who I am.”

Photo: Talbot Cox

Expect plot twists

As mentioned, Jorgensen has been documenting her story with fly on the wall coverage, and, if her journey was a fairy tale, we mere mortals would be in awe as we watched her smash PBs and win races before celebrating with marathon gold in Tokyo.

However, this is the real world, and her debut over 13.1 miles at the Pittsburgh-hosted USATF Half Marathon Championships in May, showed us that things don’t always go as they were scripted.

She ran a debut 70:58 to finish fourth, a good half marathon performance – but when your name is Gwen Jorgensen ‘good’ doesn’t quite cut it, even if the only athletes in front of you are Aliphine Tuliamuk (PB 69:16), Sara Hall (PB 69:27) and fellow debutant Rochelle Kanuho.

“I was hoping I would be in the mix for the win, so to come away outside the podium is not something I was happy with,” she says “It was a tough race. I found the course to be hilly with a lot of turns.

“Aliphine, Sara and Rochelle were outstanding. Aliphine and Sara were tough from the gun, taking it out and really racing the course. I struggled and was exposed on my weakness. But, the race was so well put on. I loved being there.”

This was the first plot twist and credit to Jorgensen and her team for publishing the ‘Humble pie for breakfast’ video within hours of crossing the finish line.

It detailed the morning of the race right up to her thoughts post-race, and it helped to show the human side – and a low point – in her journey.

She returned to training and bounced back with two 10k performance of 33:10 and 33:21 in July and August and now has her eyes and focus firmly fixed on the Chicago Marathon in October.

The whole world will be watching and, regardless of the outcome of the race, it is another stepping stone towards Tokyo 2020. But let’s not forget even making the US team will be an achievement given the current strength and depth of American women’s distance running.

Finally, when asked how she deals with the expectations placed on herself and the added pressure from so openly sharing the journey with the public she says: “My family and friends are a great distraction. It helps as well that I don’t see myself as an athlete, but instead as a person, and a mom.”

A take away that all athletes can learn from Jorgensen is dream big, set lofty goals, and don’t be afraid to fail. If you are happy to, document and share it with the running world. As fans we want to see it all; the wins, the dedication, the bruises and your life away from running. Most importantly, it lets us see that athletes like Jorgensen are only human, which helps us to dream big too.

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 Gwen Jorgensen: lights, camera, action appeared first on Fast Running.

Gwen Jorgensen will make her eagerly anticipated second outing over 26.2 miles at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7.

Jorgensen joins one of the deepest American women’s fields in the history of the Chicago Marathon, that includes the previously announced Jordan Hasay, Amy Cragg and Laura Thweatt.

Hasay currently ranks second on the list of all-time American marathoners with her 2:20:57 run at last year’’s race in the windy city. Her time was the fastest American time ever run on U.S. soil.

Cragg moved up to the fifth spot in U.S. history earlier this year with her 2:21:42 performance in Tokyo, and Thweatt claimed the ninth spot in London last year after she finished in 2:25:38. The last time three American women finished in the top five in Chicago was 1994, and the last time U.S. women claimed the top two spots was 1992. That could all change in 2018.

Jorgensen’’s potential in the marathon remains unknown after debuting at the New York City Marathon just nine weeks after she won gold in Rio in the triathlon. Given her lack of marathon-specific training, she impressed with a 14th-place finish and 2:41:01 time.

The 32 year-old grew into a legend as a triathlete: in addition to her gold medal (the only Olympic gold in the triathlon in U.S. history), she also won two world titles and an unprecedented 17 ITU World Triathlon Series races.

Jorgensen, who trains with Cragg and Shalane Flanagan as part of Nike’s Bowerman Track Club, took most of 2017 off to welcome her first child, and since making the leap into a full-time professional running career, has won the 2018 Stanford Invitational 10,000m in 31:55, finished fifth in the Peachtree road race, and finished seventh in the 10,000m at the USATF championships.

She also finished fourth in her half marathon debut at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships in 70:58.

Photo: Talbot Cox

In order for Jorgensen to come within reach of her bold goal of Olympic marathon gold in Toyko, she will first of all have to make one of the most competitive American women’s marathon team of all-time, by finishing in the top three at the Olympic Trials in February 2020. Her rivals that day in Atlanta will most likely include Hasay, Cragg, Shalane Flanagan, Des Linden and Molly Huddle among others.

In the men’s race, previously announced defending champion Galen Rupp, British record holder Mo Farah, Boston Marathon champion Yuki Kawauchi, past champions Abel Kirui and Dickson Chumba, will be joined by a top American field that includes Elkanah Kibet,  Tyler McCandless, Aaron Braun and Kiya Dandena.

American women’s field

Jordan Hasay / 2:20:57
Amy Cragg / 2:21:42
Laura Thweatt / 2:25:38
Sarah Crouch / 2:32:44
Taylor Ward / 2:35:27
Katie Matthews / 2:38:40
Kristen Heckert / 2:38:54
Gwen Jorgensen / 2:41:01

American men’s field

Galen Rupp / 2:06:07
Elkanah Kibet / 2:11:31
Tyler McCandless / 2:12:28
Aaron Braun / 2:12:54
Kiya Dandena / 2:12:56
Patrick Rizzo / 2:13:42
Andrew Bumbalough / 2:13:58
Johnny Crain / 2:15:46
Jonas Hampton / 2:15:46
Zach Hine / 2:16:40
Andrew Epperson / 2:16:54
Tony Migliozzi / 2:17:27
Chris Lemon / 2:18:06
Parker Stinson / 2:18:07
Alan Peterson / 2:18:47
George Alex / 2:19:36
Ryan Root / 2:19:51

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 Gwen Jorgensen set for Chicago Marathon 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.

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

Japan’s Yuki Kawauchi is to race the 41st Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7, organisers have announced.

Kawauchi, who made headlines around the world when he won the Boston Marathon in April, will also be joined by compatriot Suguru Osako, who competed at the 2016 Olympics. Both athletes will have an eye on becoming the first Chicago Marathon champion from Japan since Toshihiko Seko in 1986.

“The announcement of Kawauchi and Osako follows last week’s news of British marathon record holder Farah’s participation, and Chicago’s defending champion Rupp in May.

Before becoming the 2018 Boston Marathon champion amidst freezing temperatures and pouring rain (where he said: ““for me, these are the best conditions possible””), Kawauchi gained global renown for his prolific racing schedule.

He holds the record for the most marathons run under 2:20 (79), he boasts a PR of 2:08:14, he has won more than 30 career marathons and he finished 12 marathons in 2017 alone.

He has raced more than 20 times in 2018, including running the Kuki Half Marathon dressed in a panda suit and setting a course record at the Yatsugatake Nobeyama 71K ultramarathon in May (he won by 30 minutes).

Kawauchi, often referred to as a “citizen runner,” “rebel government clerk” and “emperor of pain,” fits his training and racing in around his full-time job as a government employee, bucking a national trend where most elite runners compete full time on corporate teams. However, following his win at the Boston Marathon, he announced plans to become a professional athlete in spring of 2019, but would stay in his job until then.

RELATED: Why you should love Yuki Kawauchi

To track Kawauchi’s racing schedule, Brett Larner of Japan Running News dedicates a page of his blog to Kawauchi called “The Kawauchi Counter.”

Kawauchi thundered onto the global stage when he placed third at the 2011 Tokyo Marathon. He explained his marathon tactics in a post-race interview this way: ““Every time I run, it’s with the mindset that if I die at this race, it’’s ok.””

Compatriot Osako, based in Portland, OR., will be joining Kawauchi in Grant Park on October 7. Osako is a 2016 Olympian and the Japanese record holder in the 3000m and 5000m.

He competed in the 5000m and 10,000m in Rio after winning both events at Japan’s national championships. He made his marathon debut at the 2017 Boston Marathon, landing on the podium in third in 2:10:28.

At the time, he was the first Japanese man to finish among the top three since Seko won Boston in 1987. He closed out 2017 with an impressive personal best and third place finish at the Fukuoka Marathon, 2:07:19.

Osako hopes to secure an additional bonus in Chicago by breaking the Japanese national record (2:06:11). If he manages that feat, the Japanese Corporate Track and Field Federation will pay him a 100-million-yen bonus (nearly one million U.S. dollars).

““I want to try to break the national record, but the most important thing to me is to be competitive with the other runners,”” said Osako. ““I’’m really excited and proud to run with Mo and Galen. I’m going to enjoy the challenge.””

Japan has a long history of producing some of the world’s best marathon runners, stretching back to the post-war era of the 1940s and 1950s. Japan dominated the global scene in the 1960s (in 1966 alone, 15 of the top 17 marathon times belonged to Japanese runners). As Tokyo looks ahead to hosting the 2020 Olympics, it hopes to see its marathon runners – like Osako – back in the medal count.

Kawauchi and Osako will be joined by strong field of Japanese athletes at the front of the 2018 field including: Ryo Kiname, Chihiro Miyawaki, Tsukasa Koyama, Taku Fujimoto and Yohei Suzuki.

The post Yuki Kawauchi to run Chicago Marathon appeared first on Fast Running.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced on Thursday (June 14) that four-time Olympic gold medalist, six-time world champion Mo Farah will join the 2018 Chicago Marathon elite competition.

In 2012, Farah became the first British athlete in history to win an Olympic gold at the 10,000m, and he is just the second athlete in history to pull off back-to-back gold medals in both the 5000m and 10,000m at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

The Chicago Marathon marks Farah’s third go at the distance and his first 42K on U.S. soil. He joins defending champion and former training partner, Galen Rupp, at the front of this year’s elite pack. Farah and Rupp made history together at the 2012 London Olympics, finishing with the gold and silver in the 10,000m.

“Mo and Galen are two of the greatest distance runners of all time,” said Executive Race Director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Carey Pinkowski. “They come to Chicago following in the footsteps of incredible runners like Khalid Khannouchi, Sammy Wanjiru, Moses Tanui, Paul Tergat, Steve Jones and more. These two runners have competed at the highest level of competition and I’m confident they will come prepared for what’s shaping up to be an epic showdown.”

Farah made his marathon debut in 2014 in London, clocking 2:08: 21 to finish eighth. He refocused his energy on the track and the 2016 Rio Olympics before tackling the distance again this spring. He finished third in London with a new personal best and a national record, 2:06:21.

Farah dazzled fans at the 2016 Rio Olympics when he experienced a dramatic fall, tumbling hard to the track, in the 10,000m. Instead of panicking, he found his feet, rejoined the pack and ran away from the rest of the field to win gold. In addition to his Olympic and world titles, he has landed on the top of the podium 20 times in the Diamond League track competitions.

Farah holds national track records in the 1500m, 3000m, two-mile, 5000m and 10,000m, and British road records in the 5K, 10K, 20K, half marathon and marathon. In 2017, Farah was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.

Setting ideal conditions for fast times

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2018 will re-introduce pacers – “rabbits” – into the elite competition after breaking from the tradition for the past few years.

“The championship style of racing that spectators enjoy will continue as the race enters its final miles,” Pinkowski said. “The epic 2010 duel between the late Wanjiru and Tsegaye Kebede – arguably one of the greatest finishes in marathon history –underscores the importance of the tactics that still exist and flourish in paced races.”

Pinkowski and event organizers decided to transition back to pacers to leverage the speed of the course, to work towards setting up ideal conditions for the top tier elite athletes confirmed so far, and to respond to feedback received from runners.

“We listened to the athletes and they want to come to Chicago because of our tradition of fast times and our legacy as a world record course,” continued Pinkowski. “If athletes want to run in races without pacers, there are several opportunities for them to do so.”

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

Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay will compete in the 41st edition of the Chicago Marathon in October, organisers announced on Wednesday (May 16).

Rupp’s return to Chicago comes on the heels of his impressive victory and personal best at the Prague Marathon on May 6. The American clocked 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.

“I’m so excited to be returning to Chicago to defend my title,” said the three-time Olympic medalist. “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.”

Rupp 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.

In March, he narrowly missed breaking Ryan Hall’s American record by four seconds in the half marathon, running 59:47 in Rome to become only the third American to break 60 minutes and the second-fastest American in history.

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.

Hasay, also a member of the Nike Oregon Project, ran bravely in Chicago last autumn, 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.

The 26 year-old 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.

“I’m thrilled to be coming back to Chicago,” said Hasay who was meant to compete to Boston this year but withdrew due to injury. “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!”

Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski said: “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.

“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.”

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 neighbourhoods.

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