Galen Rupp runs 2:06:07 to become third fastest American marathoner ever

Sunday morning was the 2018 Volkswagen Prague Marathon and all eyes were on Galen Rupp. After dropping out of Boston due to hypothermia from the frigid temperatures, Rupp switched his focus to Prague. Rupp ran 2:06:07 to smash his personal best and win the race. 

Spectacular Galen Rupp clocking at 2:06:07! | Volkswagen #PragueMarathon pic.twitter.com/EUJF2F7nGg

— RunCzech (@RunCzech) May 6, 2018

The two-time Olympic medalist and three-time Olympian ran a very even race coming through the 21.1 kilometre mark in 1:03:00. At around 25K the pace started to lag, so Rupp and Sisay Lemma, who finished second, put on a surge to drop the field. They continued together before Rupp left Lemma in the last two miles. Lemma finished in 2:07:02. 

This time makes Rupp the third fastest American ever. On the all-time list he follows Ryan Hall who ran 2:04:58 and Khalid Khannouchi at 2:05:38. 

Prague adds to Rupp’s short but impressive marathon resume. After his third place Olympic medal in Rio and win at the Chicago Marathon in 2017, Rupp was ready to run faster than 2:09 (his previous PB). 

Will Rupp run the marathon at the 2020 Olympics? It’s likely. He has reportedly said that gold in the marathon at Tokyo is a big goal of his.