Lack of pacers at 2016 Chicago marathon could lead to surprising winners
The 2016 Chicago marathon will feature some of the world's top distance runners in October including the men's marathon world record holder.
The Chicago marathon announced today that the 2016 lineup and it’s expected to be one of the best ever.
Dennis Kimetto, the marathon world record holder, headlines the men’s field and the half-marathon world record holder Florence Kiplagat will return in the women’s field. Both are from Kenya, one of the world’s powerhouse distance-running countries.
For the second consecutive year, the Chicago marathon will not have pacesetters. Large races typically employ runners to race a portion of the marathon to help guide other runners to fast times. Without pacesetters, fast times are less likely and unknowns occasionally emerge as champions.
Among the field are five past champions of the Chicago marathon, one of six world marathon majors. This year’s race date is Oct. 9, one of the last chances to run a fast time in 2016 meaning there will be plenty of Canadians who make the trip south.
Kimetto has previously run 2:03:45 in Chicago, the North American record. He has run 2:02:57 for the marathon, which he ran in 2014 in Berlin. Though he has the world record, he has been inconsistent at major championships including worlds. He has never run in the Olympics.
Kiplagat won the 2015 Chicago marathon and ran 2:23:33 last year. She has a best of 2:19:44 and holds the half-marathon record of 1:05:09. Also in the women’s field is Atsede Baysa, the 2016 Boston marathon champion who gave her winning trophy to Bobbi Gibb, the women’s running pioneer who first ran Boston in 1966.
RELATED: Lead woman at Boston, Atsede Baysa, hands over trophy to women’s running pioneer.
“Dickson, Tsegaye and Atsede have run their fastest career marathons in Chicago, and both Tsegaye and Dennis have experienced the thrill of breaking our course record,” said Carey Pinkowski, Bank of America Chicago Marathon executive race director. “To have so many past champions in one competition is thrilling. And there is depth on the American side as well; without pacesetters, we could see a new champion emerge from this talented field.”
Women’s field
Florence Kiplagat, Kenya – defending champion
Atsede Baysa, Ethiopia – 2016 Boston marathon winner
Valentine Kipketer, Kenya – 2:23 lifetime best
Gulume Chala, Kenya – 2:23 lifetime best
Serena Burla, United States – 10th at 2015 world marathon championships
Men’s field
Dennis Kimetto, Kenya – world record holder
Tsegaye Kebede, Ethiopia – 2012 champion
Dickson Chumba, Kenya – defending champion
Micak Kogo, Kenya – 10,000m Olympic silver medallist (2008)
Stephen Sambu, Kenya – debut
Luke Puskedra, United States – 2015 Vancouver Sun Run winner
With files from a press release.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
