Bates leads strong American contingent
It was a coming of age Sunday for U.S. runners at the 42nd Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Emma Bates ran a personal record — 2:25:27 — and finished fourth.
‘‘First half, I didn’t want to go out too aggressively, especially with the crowds; you get too hyped up,’’ she said. ‘‘Started picking up a little bit and picking off the guys in front of me. Find a guy in front of me, then get behind him, and that helped break the wind. I don’t know who they were, but it definitely [helped].’’
Four American men finished with 2:10 times and in ninth through 12th place: Jacob Riley (2:10:36), Jerrell Mock (2:10:37), Parker Stinson
(2:10:53) and Andrew Bumbalough
(2:10:56).
‘‘Well beyond expectations; I was shooting for 2:11-13,’’ said Riley, whose PR came after three years of dealing with Achilles injuries. The tight pack helped. ‘‘There was a bunch of giveand-take,’’ Riley said. ‘‘All were interested in having a good American day.’’
‘‘It just got a whole lot more interesting today for the Olympic trials,’’ Stinson said.
Four other American women finished in the top 10: Stephanie Bruce (sixth, 2:27:47), Lindsay Flanagan (seventh, 2:28:08), Laura Thweatt (eighth, 2:29:06) and
Taylor Ward (10th, 2:30:14).
Galen Rupp, the 2017 champion, suffered a calf injury early but pushed until retiring before Mile 23.
Jordan Hasay, who came in with the best PR among American women, suffered sharp pains in her hamstring at two miles and withdrew.
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At the kickoff news conference Thursday, four-time Chicago champion Khalid Khannouchi quipped, ‘‘Enjoy the city of Chicago and spend the money.’’
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Dr. George Chiampas, medical director, said there was a record-low hospital transport of 14. Because of good weather, they anticipated some runners would try for a PR. They noticed some fast runners cramping up and having to pull out.
♦ Carey Pinkowski reached his 30th year as executive director of the Chicago Marathon. On Thursday, he was feted with a ninefoot portrait.