Athletes Chase $1,000 Bonus For Qualifying for 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon
Known for being flat and fast, the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and Half Marathon have once again attracted international fields of elite runners aiming for course records and fast times for the races taking place Saturday, November 9 in downtown Indianapolis. In addition to the $12,000 prize purse, a $1,000 bonus incentive is on the line for any American athlete who runs a time standard to qualify for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon. Expected contenders are as follows:
Men’s Marathon:
The men’s marathon top contenders consists of many athletes who have already qualified for the 2020 Olympic Team Trials. The close personal bests (PR’s) of Juris Silenieks (Bath, MI, PR 2:17:37), Mark Leininger (Colts Neck, NJ, PR 2:17:51), Jonathan Mott (Lakeland, FL, PR 2:18:35), and Nate Guthals (Olathe, KS, PR of 2:18:38) could make for an exciting race. Jack Polerecky (Flagstaff, AZ) is making his marathon debut and could also be among the top contenders.
Local Elite: Jesse Davis (Indianapolis, IN)
Event Record: 2:16:40 – David Tuwei, 2013
Olympic Trials Standard: “A” – 2:15:00, “B” – 2:19:00
Women’s Marathon:
Four-time Olympic Team Trials Qualifier Dot McMahan (Oakland Township, MI) is expected to lead the race in a field that has 52 women seeded at the Olympic Trials Standard of 2:45:00 or faster. Three-time Olympic Team Trials Qualifier Amanda Scott (Boulder, CO) qualified for her first trials at the 2012 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and is also in contention. Melissa Johnson-White (Fairport, NY) has qualified for the Olympic Team Trials four times, and is aiming for her fifth qualification on November 9.
Local Elite: Stacy Morozov (Carmel, IN)
Event Record: 2:37:52 – Laurie Knowles, 2018
Olympic Trials Standard: “A” – 2:37:00, “B” – 2:45:00
Men’s Half Marathon:
Olympian and Venezualen Half Marathon National Record Holder Luis Orta (Venezula) returns to the half marathon after a 2nd place finish at the event last year. He is expected to be joined at the front of the pack by 2:13:51 marathoner Jarrett LeBlanc (Hathaway, LA) and Abdi Abdisamed (Rochester Hills, MI), who recently placed 10th at the US 10 Mile Road Running Championships. Sixteen men expect to run the trials standard of 1:04:00 or better.
Local Elite: Mike Cole (Zionsville, IN)
Event Record: 1:02:39 – Brogan Austin, 2018
Olympic Trials Standard: 1:04:00
Women’s Half Marathon:
2017 CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon Champion Victoria Coates of Canada returns to race against a strong field with many contenders seeking the Olympic Trials Standard of 1:13:00. Among them are Hansons-Brooks ODP teammates Olivia Pratt (Rochester Hills, MI), and Anne-Marie Blaney (Rochester Hills, MI). Pratt was a three-time NCAA All American and four-time Big East Champion as a student-athlete at Butler University. Members of the Nomad Distance Project Molly Grabill (Boulder, CO), Karis Jochen (Boulder, CO), and Cally Macumber (Broomfield, CO) could also lead the race. Grabill placed third in the event last year.
Local Elites: Anna Weber (Speedway, IN), Lucy Hilarides (Indianapolis, IN), Erin Vergara (Zionsville, IN)
Event Record: 1:11:05 – Sasha Gollish, 2016
Olympic Trials Standard: 1:13:00
In addition to these world class athletes, a projected 19,000 more will aim to achieve their goals on race day. Runner’s World recently recognized the event as one of “10 Great Marathons to Qualify for Boston”, an objective for thousands of participants each year.
The full marathon as sold out for the 8th consecutive year. A waitlist is available and participants will be allowed to register as space permits. The half marathon is currently at 94% capacity and may sell out before the Monumental Health and Fitness Expo – a first for that distance.
Registration remains open online for the 5K and Kids Fun Run through November 5th and will be available at the 2019 Monumental Health and Fitness Expo, taking place at the Indiana Convention Center on November 7 and 8.
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About Beyond Monumental
Beyond Monumental provides the Indianapolis community with a complement of activities built around their premiere event that promotes healthy living & fitness for all ages. Beyond Monumental gives back to the Indianapolis community by supporting youth programming that reinforces healthy lifestyles for young people, with an emphasis on working with urban students and Indianapolis Public Schools, donating more than $1.3 million in 11 years. The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is a top 15 marathon in the US and is nationally recognized by Runners’ World as one of “Ten Great Marathons for First Timers”. The 12th annual running is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2019. www.beyondmonumental.org
