Athletes Chase $1,000 Bonus For Qualifying for 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon
October 29, 2018 – 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 this Saturday 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: Defending champion for both 2016 and 2017, University of Louisville grad Japhet Kipkoech of Kenya returns to the event against a strong field. Kipkoech has started on course record pace for the past two years and may threaten it again in 2018. He will be challenged by Aaron Fletcher of Salt Lake City, who set the course record for the St George Marathon earlier this year with a winning time of 2:14:45. Caleb Kerr, the USATF Indiana Half Marathon Champion earlier this month at the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben, is also in the field.
Event Record: 2:16:40 – David Tuwei, 2013
Olympic Trials Standard: “A” – 2:15:00, “B” – 2:19:00 - Women’s Marathon: 2016 Champion Andie Cozzarelli (Raleigh, NC) returns to defend her title against the strongest elite women’s field the marathon has ever seen. Sri Lankan Marathon National Record holder Hiruni Wijayarante also returns to the field, having run 2:36:35 earlier this year at the Houston Marathon. Along with 2016 Olympic Trials qualifiers Sallie Post and Leonora Petrina, all together 11 women expect to run the Olympic Trials Marathon standard of 2:45:00 or faster.
Event Record: 2:38:34 – Alana Hadley, 2014
Olympic Trials Standard: “A” – 2:37:00, “B” – 2:45:00 - Men’s Half Marathon: After making his half marathon debut and winning the event last year, Edwin Kimbichiy returns to race against a field that includes 2014 Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon Champion Tom Anderson and 2016 Olympic Trials Qualifier Brogan Austin. The first 10 miles of the event will be paced by Irvington native and 2016 Olympic Trials Qualifier Noah Droddy.
Event Record: 1:03:14 – Pius Nyantika, 2016
Olympic Trials Standard: 1:04:00 - Women’s Half Marathon: Course record holder Sasha Gollish of Canada returns to race against a strong field with many contenders seeking the Olympic Trials Standard of 1:13:00. Among them are University of Oregon alumnae Molly Grabill, and Sarah Rapp of the Raleigh Distance Project, both of whom have half marathon personal records of 1:14.
Event Record: 1:11:05 – Sasha Gollish, 2016
Olympic Trials Standard: 1:13:00
In addition to these world class athletes, a projected 18,000 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 CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is sold out for the 7th consecutive year. A waitlist is available for the marathon and participants will be allowed to register as space permits. Registration is open online for the half marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run through October 30 and will be available at the 2018 Monumental Health and Fitness Expo, taking place at the Indiana Convention Center on November 1 and 2.
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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 $1,000,000 in 10 years. The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is a top 20 marathon in the US and is nationally recognized by Runners’ World as one of “Ten Great Marathons for First Timers”. The 11th annual running is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2018. www.beyondmonumental.org
