FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olympian Matt Tegenkamp to Make Marathon Debut at
2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Tegenkamp Joins Olympic Teammate Ritzenhein to Create Formidable U.S. Duo
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon today announced that
two-time U.S. Olympian Matt Tegenkamp will take on the 26.2-mile distance
for the first time at the event's 36th running on Sunday, October 13. The
31-year-old native of Lee's Summit, Mo., has been one of the country's most
decorated track athletes for the past decade. He has represented Team USA
at two Olympic Games (2008 and 2012) and three IAAF World Track & Field
Championships (2007, 2009 and 2011) in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter
distances. In his highly anticipated move to the marathon, Tegenkamp
bolsters the American presence alongside Olympic teammate Dathan
Ritzenhein.
"I am very excited that all the stars aligned this year to make the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon my debut at the distance," said Tegenkamp. "There
are a lot of great fall marathon options, but for my first I wanted to stay
true to my Midwest roots-born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, college
at University of Wisconsin, married in Madison, and now the Chicago
Marathon. I know that Chicago will provide a great course, electric fans,
and amazing competition, which will provide the perfect stage for me to
take on one of the toughest events in sports."
Tegenkamp, a 2005 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, resides in
Portland, Ore., where he runs professionally for Nike and is coached by
Jerry Schumacher. He is the American record-holder in the two-mile
(8:07.07), and he placed 4th in the 5,000-meters at the 2007 IAAF World
Championships (missing the bronze medal by .03 seconds) and was 13th in the
2008 Olympic final. In 2009, Tegenkamp became one of only six Americans in
history to break the 13-minute barrier in the 5,000-meters with a personal
best 12:58.56. In 2011, he turned his focus to the 10,000-meters, placing
10th at the 2011 IAAF World Championships and 19th in the 2012 Olympic
final.
"I've long admired Matt's ability to deliver year after year and
championship after championship on the track. I'm excited that he'll bring
that big game mentality and professionalism to his marathon debut at the
2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon," said Executive Race Director Carey
Pinkowski. "With Matt and Dathan on the start line, the U.S. has the
strongest one-two punch in the history of the Chicago Marathon."
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has a rich history of debut marathon
performances, with three debut world bests: Khalid Khannouchi's 2:07:10 in
1997, Ondoro Osoro's 2:06:54 in 1998, and Evans Rutto's 2:05:50 in 2003. In
2002, Alan Culpepper ran 2:09:41 in Chicago, tying Alberto Salazar for the
fastest ever debut by an American. The fastest world and American debut
marathons currently stand at 2:03:06 (Moses Mosop, 2011 Boston) and 2:08:24
(Ryan Hall, 2008 London), respectively.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 36th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a
world-class elite runner and wheelchair athlete field, and an estimated 1.7
million spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, the
iconic race assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of
charitable causes while generating $219 million in annual economic impact
to its host city according to a report by the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign's Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.).
The 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Grant
Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 13. In advance of the race,
a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention
Center on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12. For more
information about the event and how to get involved, go to
www.chicagomarathon.com.
###
|
