Olympic medalist Paul Chelimo coming to Rome Half Marathon
The Kenyan native ran track at Shorter University in 2010.
Paul Chelimo, who came to Rome over seven years ago to start his United States running career, will return in December to be the guest speaker at the GoGo Running All-Area Cross Country Banquet and take part in the River City Bank Rome Half Marathon.
The annual banquet, which recognizes the top local high school cross country runners, will be Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. at Berry College’s Ford Dining Hall. The 2017 Rome Half Marathon, Relay and 5K will be the following morning at State Mutual Stadium.
Chelimo won silver in the 5,000 meters at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and captured bronze in the event at the recent World Championships in London. He attended Shorter University in 2010 and was coached by Jay Stephenson as he went on to win four NAIA national track and field titles.
“We are so fortunate to be able to welcome Paul back to Rome,” Stephenson said in a release. “What is exciting is knowing that Paul will inspire the high school athletes and everyone else who hears him at the banquet.”
A native of Kenya, Chelimo transferred to North Carolina-Greensboro in 2011 where he was a fivetime
NCAA All-American and closed out his collegiate career as a silver medalist at the World University Games.
Now an American citizen
serving as a specialist in the U.S. Army as a member of the Army’s World Class Athlete Program, Chelimo battled eventual winner Mo Farah in an epic duel to the finish at last year’s Olympics. His silver medal was the first for America in the 5K since 1964.
“He has a great story to tell, not only as a worldclass runner but as a person,” Stephenson said. “We’re honored to have him come back where it all started.”
The River City Bank Rome Half Marathon has raised nearly $12,000 for the running programs at area high schools, with last year’s event bringing in $3,600.
To register and for more information on the River City Bank Rome Half Marathon as well as the allarea banquet, visit www. romehalf.com or contact GoGo Running at The Shoe Box at 706-291-0752.