This event took place c Brooks Hyperion House Chicago (401 North Michigan, Chicago, Illinois). Like many brands, Brooks created a pop-up to celebrate the Chicago Marathon and meet Brooks fans. It was a fantastic location, right next to the Apple Store in Chicago, a perfect site for the brand.
The press was handled by Clara Nichols, Brooks Sports Marketing Team. Clara has a natural and easy going manner, asking questions and answers, keeping the event interesting for the audience and moving for the athletes. A nice mix of Clara and fan questions.
Here is a little information about the athletes on the panel.
Emily Infeld. Emily burst onto the scene in 2015 with a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the World Championships in Beijing, keeping her cool at the end of the race and using her super finish. Ten years later, in 2025, Emily Infeld wins the 10,000 m at the U.S. Championships in the final leg, with Elise Cranny finishing second. Many were surprised by Emily’s run, but the truth is that Emily battled through injuries and setbacks, always staying focused on the prize by making Team USA. Emily Infeld went to Tokyo, finishing 14th in 10,000m in hot and humid weather in 31:47.65.
Suzanne Sullivan. Suzanne Sullivan is a school teacher who runs marathons for Brooks. For the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Susannah Sullivan signed with Brooks after her performance at the 2023 London Marathon, where she ran 2:24:27. Susanna finished 58th at the Budapest 2023 World Championships where she was injured. Susanna Sullivan experienced Covid 19 just a week before the 2024 Olympic Trials. Having trained well, Susanna returned to the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where she ran 2:21:56, a brilliant race that gave Susanna confidence in her race and focus. In Tokyo, Susanna Sullivan took the lead at the halfway point, finishing a close 4th place in 2:28:17 at the end of a hot and humid race in Tokyo.
Erica Kemp. Erica Kemp made her dream come true on January 19, 2025, when she ran a personal best of 11 minutes and one second over the marathon distance with her 2:22:56 at the Chevron Houston Marathon 2025, where she finished second. Erica Kemp has been fighting for Brooks for several years. A long resume with a win at the USA 20k Road Champs on March 16, 2021 and PBs of 15:14.76 5000m and 31:28.69 at the Sound Running Ten (10,000m) on March 16, 2025. Erica was the best American in that 2:22. Erika Kemp had a rough meet in Tokyo, braving the heat and humidity of the Tokyo World Championships, finishing 52nd in 2:50.35.
The media event was attended by many marathoners and Brooks fans. The show spent an hour telling viewers about the challenges of Tokyo 2025, the differences between a World Championship-style marathon and a World Masters Marathon, and how they felt competing in the 10,000m (for Infeld) and the marathon (Sullivan and Kemp).
(Sorry for the confusion with the video, I’m submitting it to our production guru and will repost it once it’s done.)
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