FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olympian Amy Cragg and 2015 U.S. Cross Country Champion Laura Thweatt
Join 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon American Women's Elite
Competition
Cragg, Thweatt and Jordan Hasay Stand Out as the Strongest American Trio
in Chicago Marathon History
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that two of
the fastest women in U.S. history, Amy Cragg and Laura Thweatt, will join
previously announced American Jordan Hasay to compete for the top spot on
the podium at the 41st annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Cragg, a
two-time Olympian, and Thweatt, the 2015 U.S. Cross Country champion and
2018 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K champion, make the 2018 Chicago
Marathon the deepest American women's field in Chicago's storied history.
Hasay currently ranks second on the list of all-time American marathoners
with her 2:20:57 run at last year's Chicago Marathon. Her time was also the
fastest American time ever run on U.S. soil. Cragg moved up to the fifth
spot in U.S. history earlier this year with her 2:21:42 performance in
Tokyo, and Thweatt claimed the ninth spot in London last year after she
finished in 2:25:38. The last time three American women finished in the top
five in Chicago was 1994, and the last time U.S. women claimed the top two
spots was 1992. Chicago's history could be rewritten with Hasay, Cragg and
Thweatt headlining this year's American field.
"There is an American tradition in Chicago of historic performances,
competition and developing top talent," said Executive Race Director of the
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Carey Pinkowski. "Amy and Laura are
world-class athletes, and they are fighters. We expect to see them battling
up front, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our elite field."
Cragg, a member of Nike's Bowerman Track Club since 2015, joins this year's
elite field after opening her 2018 season by smashing her personal best to
finish third at the Tokyo Marathon in 2:21:42. She competed in Chicago for
the first time in 2014, finishing fourth in 2:27:03. Since then, she has
experienced global success, winning the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon trials,
finishing ninth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and ending a 34-year medal
drought for the U.S. after taking home a bronze medal at the 2017 IAAF
World Championships Marathon. She currently sits in 12th place on the
Abbott World Marathon Majors Series XI leaderboard, and a strong finish in
Chicago could propel her further up the list. Cragg competed in her first
Olympics in the 10,000m in 2012, and she is the fifth-fastest American
woman over 10,000m, with a 31:10 personal best. "I'm incredibly excited to
be coming back to race the Chicago Marathon," said Cragg. "It's one of the
most competitive American and international fields of any marathon, but
with it being back in the Midwest, to me, it feels like home. We have been
planning to do this race for a long time because it's the perfect course to
reach the next level as a marathoner."
Thweatt grabbed headlines in 2017 after she finished as the first American
and sixth overall in the London Marathon, running a notable 2:25:38
personal best. London marked just her second career marathon; she made her
debut at the 2015 New York City Marathon where she finished seventh in
2:28:23. Thweatt ran London while enduring an injury, osteitis pubis, which
took her out of competition for the remainder of the 2017 season. She
announced her comeback with a win at the 2018 Bank of America Shamrock
Shuffle 8K, a pair of fourth-place finishes at the NYC Healthy Kidney 10K
and the Ottawa 10K, and a personal best and third-place finish at the Gold
Coast Half Marathon in 1:10:17. Throughout her career, Thweatt has
showcased her talents across the oval, the grass and the roads. She has
raced distances on the track from 1,500m to 10,000m, and in addition to
being the 2015 U.S. Cross Country champion, she also took home titles at
the 2013 and 2014 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships.
"I'm excited to be coming to Chicago, and I am honored to be included in
this field," says Thweatt. "My coach and I wanted the opportunity to run
fast, and there will be a fantastic international and American field. I
want a fast time to get my confidence back, and to feel like I am ready to
rock as the [Olympic] trials get closer in 2020."
Journalist interested in covering the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
can apply for media credentials now at chicagomarathon.com.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 41st year on Sunday, October 7, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
welcomes thousands of runners 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 runners. The race's
iconic course takes runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an
architectural and cultural tour of Chicago. Annually, an estimated 1.7
million spectators line the streets cheering on more than 40,000 runners
from the start line to the final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result
of the race's national and international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists
in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while
generating $282 million in annual economic impact to its host city. The
2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a member of the Abbott World
Marathon Majors, will start and finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m.
on Sunday, October 7. In advance of the race, a two-day Abbott Health &
Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday,
October 5, and Saturday, October 6. 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. Click here to
register for news email alerts.
chicagomarathon.com
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