FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Galen Rupp and Sara Hall Headline 43rd Annual Bank of America
Chicago Marathon Elite Field
Rupp Vies for His Second Victory in Chicago While Hall Seeks to Break
the American Marathon Record in the First U.S. Abbott World Marathon
Majors Event this Fall
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that
two-time Olympic medalist Galen Rupp and America's second fastest female
marathon runner ever, Sara Hall, will be at the helm of this year's elite
field, a year that marks a global comeback for the road racing industry.
Rupp stands out as one of the most decorated runners on the track and in
the marathon, winning the 2016 and 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon trials and
the 2017 Chicago Marathon; he is a five-time U.S. record holder, and
eight-time U.S. 10,000 meter champion. Hall, a seven-time Olympic trials
qualifier with ten national titles from the mile to the marathon, to her
name, hopes to rewrite history by breaking the American marathon record,
2:19:36, set in 2006 by Deena Kastor.
"We are thrilled to welcome Galen and Sara, two of the most talented
runners in U.S. history, to our start line this fall," said Bank of America
Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "This is a
celebratory moment not only for U.S. running, but for the global running
community. The resilience and determination that Galen and Sara have shown
throughout their careers is the same kind of resilience and determination
that lives within every runner showing up in Grant Park this fall."
Rupp, a four-time Olympian with a bronze medal in the marathon and a silver
medal in the 10,000m, will make a quick turn-around to Chicago after going
for gold in Tokyo. Rupp put on a show during his first appearance in
Chicago in 2017 when he became the first American male since Khalid
Khannouchi to stand on top of the podium. He returned in 2018, finishing
fifth in 2:06:21, the fifth fastest time in American history on a record
eligible course (he also owns the third fastest time ever run, 2:06:07).
Shortly after his performance in 2018, he underwent surgery to correct
Haglund's Deformity. Rupp used his 2019 and 2020 seasons to announce his
comeback to the top of elite running.
On an unrelenting hilly course in Atlanta, Rupp showcased his dominance at
the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon trials, swiftly winning the race while
making his fourth Olympic team. Since then, he has continued to run well,
setting an American record for 10 miles in 2020 (en route to a half
marathon victory), and running in the Olympic Trials in the 10,000m. In
addition to his accolades on the track and in the marathon, he is the
second fastest American ever over the half marathon distance (59:47). If
Rupp breaks the tape first this fall, he will be only the seventh man in
Bank of America Chicago Marathon history to claim victory twice.
"Chicago is a special city and I'm excited to be coming back after so
long," said Rupp. "I have a personal connection to the city, and the 2021
Bank of America Chicago Marathon is going to be an awesome celebration.
"My goal is winning," Rupp continued. "I want to come back and win. 2019
left a sour taste in my mouth. I didn't finish that race so I cannot wait
to get back out there and come back stronger than ever. It has been a wild
ride since then. I'm healthy, I'm happy, and it's going to be tremendous to
come back."
Like Rupp, Hall stands out as one of the most versatile athletes in any
elite field. She launched her professional career as a middle-distance
specialist and steeplechaser while slowly migrating to the roads and, in
2015, to the marathon. She finished 10th in Chicago in 2015, ninth in New
York in 2016, sixth in Tokyo in 2017, first in the California International
Marathon in 2017 (her first U.S. title in the marathon), and third in
Ottawa in 2018. But those achievements pale in comparison to what came
next.
In 2020, Hall picked herself up from a disappointing DNF at the U.S.
Olympic Marathon Trials, refocused, and commenced her campaign to make
history. She finished as the runner-up in 2:22:01 at the London Marathon
last October (one of the only elite events in 2020), becoming the first
American to finish in the top three in 14 years. Eleven weeks later -
unconventional timing for a marathon runner - she competed in the Marathon
Project, winning in a personal best, 2:20:32, while also inching closer to
Kastor's American record. Hall enters this year's Chicago Marathon with a
goal written on her bathroom mirror: "American Marathon recordholder."
"I am excited to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon again," said
Hall. "It has been too long since I've been back, and when I thought about
where I wanted to chase the American Record, I thought it would be more
exciting to do it at home, in the U.S., and Chicago is such an epic race.
I'm really excited to have my best marathon yet on U.S. soil."
American marathon record holder and 2005 Chicago Marathon champion, Deena
Kastor, is eager to watch Hall chase history.
"It's exciting to see Sara go after the American record again," said
Kastor. "Her incredible fitness and joy of running makes this an
opportunity worth fighting for. Chicago is certainly a great choice to be
your best, so spectators can expect to witness some exciting performances
on race day."
The 43rd annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday,
October 10.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomes thousands of participants
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 participants. The race's iconic course takes
runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural
tour of Chicago. For more information about the event and how to get
involved, go to chicagomarathon.com.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other
important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for
news email alerts.
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