In 2017, Galen Rupp became the first American man to win the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in more than a decade. That same year, Jordan Hasay became the fastest American woman to run the Chicago Marathon.
In 2018, they'll look to do it all again.
Rupp and Hasay will both return for the 41st annual marathon in Chicago, being held Sunday, Oct. 7, race organizers announced Wednesday.
Rupp emerged from the 40th anniversary Chicago Marathon last year as the first US winner since Khalid Khannouchi won in 2002. Joined by Hasay, the two became the first American duo to finish in the top three since Jerry Lawson and Kristy Johnston took home a pair of second-place finishes in 1996.
“Galen and Jordan are leading an exciting American resurgence in the marathon, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to Chicago this coming fall,” Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski said in a statement. “Galen won in a decisive move last year and just dominated a talented men’s field. He’s a phenomenal athlete who has taken his track speed to the roads with incredible success. Jordan ran with pure guts and she was rewarded with a podium finish and the fastest American time ever run on Chicago’s course. She has found her distance with the marathon.”
Rupp announced his plans to return to the Windy City once again just days after an impressive victory and personal best run at the Prague Marathon earlier this month.
"I’m so excited to be returning to Chicago to defend my title,” Rupp said in a statement. “I’d like to thank Carey and everyone at the Chicago Marathon for all the great work they do. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be heading back to the Windy City."
Rupp's father grew up in Maywood, Illinois, and the Oregon alum said he spent a lot of time in the Chicago area during his childhood.
Local
The 2017 Chicago Marathon was only his fourth marathon ever.
"It’s tremendous," he said after crossing the finish line. "I feel like I’ve been second so many times in my career, just always this close so I just am so thrilled that I was able to pull it out here. And again in a city like this, the crowd support was incredible. You know, you go through different areas and it was just booming how loud it is. It really picks you up, picks your spirits up."
Hasay raced to a 2:20:57 finish in the 40th anniversary race, the fastest time ever run by an American woman in Chicago and the second-fastest time ever recorded.
This time, she's hoping to do even more.
“I’m thrilled to be coming back to Chicago,” Hasay said in a statement. “My goal is to target a fast time and contend for the win. As always, I know the race organizers will set up a fantastic event and the people of Chicago will make it a very fun day.”
