Strong American contingent ready to race Chicago's fast course

By Scott Bush, DyeStat Editor

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced its American fields Thursday and Nike Oregon Project teammates Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay lead the charge.

For years, the Boston Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon have seemingly recruited the top Americans to compete in their events, while Chicago has focused on putting together diverse international-focused fields. That perspective is set to change for the Oct. 8 race. 

Rupp, who earned bronze at the Rio Olympics in the marathon, finished second in the Boston Marathon this past spring and should contend for the victory, as well as lowering his personal-best 2:09:58 set in Boston. He has a personal connection to Chicago as well. His father grew up there and he has family in the area.

Rupp is joined by former Nike Oregon Project teammate Luke Puskedra, who enters with a 2:10:24 personal best, which he set in Chicago in 2015. Veteran road runners Jeffrey Eggleston and Aaron Braun are other notable American entries, along with 2012 Olympian Diego Estrada.

Notable entries who are far less experienced in the marathon distance are Sam Chelanga and Chris Derrick. While both do have strong road race finishes to their credits, neither is well versed across the 26.2-mile distance. In fact, for Derrick, the Chicago Marathon will be his debut. The Bowerman Track Club standout should have large fan support throughout the race, as he went to high school in Naperville, a suburb of Chicago.

On the women's side, Hasay will also contend for the victory. Her 2:23:00 debut effort in Boston this past spring, which nabbed her a runner-up finish, was the American marathon debut record and a top-five performance on the American all-time list. It sets her up well on the rhythmic course in Chicago. 

Hasay is joined by Becky Wade, Alia Gray, Sarah Crouch and Dot McMahan, all of whom should be seeking to challenge the 2:28 barrier come October, while challenging for top 10 finishes. 

As Rupp and Hasay set their sights on running fast and earning victories in Chicago, it's worth mentioning that the last American man to win the Chicago Marathon was Khalid Khannouchi in 2002, while Deena Kastor was the last U.S. woman to win, taking top prize in 2005.

American Men’s Field 

Galen Rupp

Luke Puskedra

Jeffrey Eggleston

Aaron Braun

Diego Estrada

Andrew Bumbalough

Sam Chelanga

Chris Derrick

Noah Droddy 

American Women’s Field 

Jordan Hasay

Becky Wade

Dot McMahan

Sarah Crouch

Alia Gray

Michelle Lilienthal

Danna Herrick

Kristen Heckert