The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the 45th edition of the popular race. Started in 1977 as the Mayor Daley Marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the best marathons in the world.
The men’s world record was set in 2023 by the late Kelvin Kiptum at 2:00:35.
We have a very fast field this year. Perhaps not a world record, but don’t be surprised if we have two men in 2:03 this year.
In this column, we focus on American men.
Zach Penning is the fastest American in the field, with his PB of 2:09:28, run in Chicago in 2022. Zach’s last marathon was the 2024 US Olympic Trials, where he finished sixth after leading 23 miles. Zach told this writer yesterday that training has gone well and that he wants to improve on his performance in Chicago in 2022.
You can enjoy our Zach Penning interview right here.
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Brian Schrader is running for the Saucony Racing team. Brian has a PB of 2:09:46 and trains on his own. Brian ran his PB in Chicago as well, but in 2023. She’s confident her training has gone well, and she credits the strong support of her fiance, family, her friends and the Boston running community for cheering her on as she trains at high altitude to be as fast as she can be. the body will let him go.
Please enjoy our interview with Brian Schrader, who we interviewed on Friday.
CJ Albertson is one of the most accomplished marathoners in the men’s elite field. CJ, a college cross country and track coach, lives near Fresno and was the fastest finisher at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, placing fifth. You may have seen CJ lead the Boston Marathon by miles, running PBs there. CJ told us he is well prepared and hopes for a fast time. I always find CJ very interesting because he pulls it off and then has great finishes in his major marathons.
CJ ran a marathon in Mexico last year. CJ told me that he really enjoyed it, and that many of the runners came up to him afterward, running to talk to him. He loved it.
CJ Albertson has a PB of 2:09:53, which he ran in 2024 in Boston.
Please enjoy CJ’s interview with RunBlogRun.
The fourth of our leading Americans is Reed Fisher. Reed runs with Tinman Elite and trains in Boulder.
Reed has a marathon PB of 2:10.34 that he ran in Boston in 2022.
Reed competed at both the 2020 US Olympic Trials (97th, 2:24:48) and the 2024 US Olympic Trials (9th, 2:11:34).
What will Reed do in Chicago in his second time here? Reed ran 2:14:41 at the 2021 Bank of America Chicago Marathon to finish 9th.
Here is our interview with Reed.
You should probably see the Top Americans run side by side. Remember to put their names in the Chicago Marathon app.
We’ll keep you updated on the race.
