FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 Past Champions Headline 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon and
Aramco Houston Half Marathon
HOUSTON (December 28, 2017) – The Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) revealed
an increased prize purse for the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco
Houston Half Marathon races, alongside an impressive elite field complete
with 10 past champions and new up-and-coming challengers who are certain to
push the boundaries of competition.
"We anticipate seeing a competitive race that will once again showcase the
draw of our event at the professional level," said Chevron Houston Marathon
Race Director and Board President Brant Kotch. "Our elite committee has
developed an outstanding reputation in the sport for the level of service
they provide to our professional athletes, and because of their efforts the
Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon continue to prove
themselves among the top road races on the world stage."
Past Champions to Battle for Chevron Houston Marathon Title
The race to the tape will be tight with two returning champions in the
men's field and four past champions in the women's race of the Chevron
Houston Marathon. Dominic Ondoro (KEN), the 2017 champion returns to defend
his title, while Bazu Worku (ETH), 2013 and 2014 Chevron Houston Marathon
Champion, hopes to challenge Ondoro and the rest of the proven men's field.
In the women's race, Veronicah Nyaruai Wanjiru (ERI), the 2017 Aramco
Houston Half Marathon winner, moves up in distance to the Chevron Houston
Marathon this year. But a title in the marathon distance won't come easy to
Wanjiru here in Houston. She'll have to battle against Biruktayit Degefa
(ETH), the 2016 Chevron Houston Marathon champion, who is back after her
runner-up finish in 2017; Abebech Afework Bekele (ETH), the 2014 Chevron
Houston Marathon champion, returns for the first time since her victory;
and Mamitu Daska (ETH), the 2011 Chevron Houston Marathon champion and 2013
Aramco Houston Half Marathon champion will look to contest the crown.
Fastest Field in Aramco Houston Half Marathon History
With seven men – and an eighth making his debut – whose personal bests are
under 60:00, and 12 women who have run faster than 1:10, both the men's and
women's fields are by far the fastest ever assembled for the Aramco Houston
Half Marathon, and arguably rank among the deepest field ever assembled in
the U.S at the half marathon distance. Leading the charge in the men's
field is Alex Korio Oloitiptit (KEN) with a personal best of 58:51. Chasing
closely on his heels will be an impressive men's field including Feyisa
Lelisa (ETH), the course record-holder and two-time winner of the Aramco
Houston Half Marathon. Returning to the women's field is 2016 champion and
course and U.S. soil record holder Mary Wacera (KEN) with her time of
1:06:29. She stands to be challenged by Americans Molly Huddle and Jordan
Hasay, both capable of running away with the American record, currently
held by Deena Kastor (1:07:34)
Prize Purse Continues to Grow with Draw of Elite Competitors
The 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Marathon will award
the highest elite prize purse to date. New for all four races in 2018 is
the extension of prize money awarded to the top eight finishers in all four
races – previously prize money was awarded through the top seven finishers.
"We are fortunate to be able to accommodate one of the largest professional
fields in the industry. We want to advance the level of competition our
races draw, and continuously evaluating our total prize purse is one of the
ways we facilitate the growth of our elite program," said Kotch. A total of
$281,000 in guaranteed prize money will be awarded on Jan. 14, including a
$45,000 first place payout for both the men's and women's champions at the
2018 Chevron Houston Marathon and a $20,000 first place payout for both the
men's and women's champions at the 2018 Aramco Houston Half Marathon.
For a complete list of prize money please visit:
www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/participants/elites/
Elite Field as of December 28, 2017
Men's Marathon Personal Best
Bazu Worku 2:05:25
Yitayal Atnafu 2:07:21
Dominic Ondoro 2:08:00
Milton Kiplagat Rotich 2:08:55
Joshua Kipkorir DROP
Elisha Barno 2:10:21
Isaac Korir 2:11:02
Nelson Oyugi 2:11:41
Cristian Pacheco 2:12:16
Patrick Rizzo 2:13:42
Daniel Mesfun 2:14:02
Dawit Weldesilasie DROP
Zachary Hine 2:16:40
Sage Canaday 2:16:52
Tyler Jermann 2:16:52
John Raneri 2:18:07
Jonathan Mott 2:18:12
Ben Zywicki 2:18:35
Evan Gaynor 2:20:35
Michael Crouch 2:21:25
Brian Atkinson 2:22:47
Franklin Jimenez 2:22:54
Ben Fletcher 2:24:57
Wilkerson Given 2:27:50
Women's Marathon Personal Best
Mamitu Daska 2:21:59
Abebech Afework Bekele 2:23:33
Biruktayit Degefa 2:23:51
Belaynesh Oljira 2:24:21
Melesech Tsegaye Beyene 2:26:44
Aynalem Teferi 2:28:18
Tsehay Desalegn 2:28:35
Gladys Kipsoi 2:29:53
Lindsey Scherf 2:32:19
Sarah Crouch 2:32:44
Susanna Sullivan DROP
Polina Carlson 2:35:42
Caroline LeFrak 2:38:14
Merrilee Blackham 2:41:59
Samantha Calderon 2:42:00
Leah Nook Frost 2:42:52
Hiruni Wijayaratne 2:43:31
Kayla Atkinson Debut
Veronicah Nyaruai Wanjiru Debut
Men's Half Marathon Personal Best
Alex Korio Oloitiptit 0:58:51
Guye Adola Idemo 0:59:06
Leul Gebresilase DROP
Daniel Wanjiru 0:59:20
Feyisa Lelisa 0:59:22
Leonard Barsotan 0:59:28
Justus Kipkogei Kangogo 0:59:31
Callum Hawkins DROP
Philip Langat 1:00:04
Wilfred Kimeli Kimitei 1:00:12
Samson Gebreyohannes 1:00:13
Stephen Sambu 1:00:41
Diego Estrada 1:00:51
Sam Chelanga 1:01:04
Temesgen Daba Ejerssa 1:01:08
Weldon Kirui 1:01:10
Luke Puskedra 1:01:29
Tsegay Tuemay 1:01:38
Noah Droddy 1:01:48
Isaac Mukundi 1:02:26
Bernard Lagat 1:02:33
Reid Coolsaet 1:02:42
Kiya Dandena 1:03:13
Edwin Kibichiy 1:03:15
Andy Wacker 1:03:26
Elkanah Kibet 1:03:35
Brendan Gregg 1:03:35
Jonas Hampton 1:03:57
Kevin Castille 1:03:58
Mohamed Hrezi 1:04:00
Sid Vaughn DROP
Luis Orta 1:04:14
Augustus Maiyo 1:04:14
Thomas Toth 1:04:28
Geoff Martinson 1:04:28
Sami Jibril 1:04:30
Alex Monroe 1:04:41
Tesfaalem Gebrearegawi 1:04:45
Willie Milam 1:05:16
Ryan Rutherford 1:06:25
Blair Morgan 1:06:40
Kevin Lewis 1:06:53
Daniel Docherty 1:06:57
Joe Stilin Debut
Cam Levins Debut
Riley Coates Debut
Haron Lagat Debut
Matt McClintock Debut
Daniel Wallis Debut
Wade Meddles Debut
Jemal Yimer Debut
Women's Half Marathon Personal Best
Edith Chelimo 1:05:52
Eunice Chumba 1:06:11
Mary Wacera 1:06:29
Helah Kiprop 1:07:39
Molly Huddle 1:07:41
Jordan Hasay 1:07:55
Hiwot Gebrekidan 1:08:00
Ruti Aga 1:08:07
Lisa Weightman DROP
Yeshi Chekole 1:09:13
Aliphine Tuliamuk 1:09:16
Caroline Chepkoech 1:09:52
Tigist Tufa 1:10:03
Serena Burla 1:10:08
Veronicah Maina 1:10:20
Dibabe Kuma Lema 1:10:47
Sasha Gollish DROP
Natasha Wodak 1:11:20
Hillary Montgomery 1:11:49
Buze Diriba 1:11:49
Lindsay Flanagan 1:12:05
Rachel Cliff 1:12:07
Becky Wade 1:12:18
Tracy Barlow 1:12:48
Alia Gray 1:12:48
Danna Herrick 1:12:55
Leslie Sexton 1:13:13
Jovana de la Cruz 1:13:19
Allison Mendez-Cleaver 1:13:21
Emily Setlack 1:13:25
Kinsey Middleton 1:13:30
Dylan Hassett 1:14:09
Joanna Thompson 1:14:10
Kelsey Bruce 1:14:15
Katy Moen 1:14:30
Karen Roa 1:14:35
Cleo Boyd 1:14:44
Emma Bates 1:14:57
Emma Kertesz 1:15:39
Christina Vergara 1:15:43
Perry Shoemaker 1:16:03
Obsie Birru 1:16:13
Rosie Edwards 1:16:25
Rachel Hyland 1:16:59
Lyndsay Tessier 1:17:00
elanie Myrand 1:17:12
Kyle Blakeslee 1:17:21
Brittany Tretbar 1:17:36
AnnMarie Kirkpatrick 1:15:17
Sarah Attar 1:31:41
Elaina Balouris Debut
About the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc.
Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC) is a
founding member of Running USA and annually organizes the nation's premier
winter marathon, half marathon and 5K. Over 250,000 participants,
volunteers and spectators make Chevron Houston Marathon Race Day the
largest single-day sporting event in Houston. Recognized by the IAAF, the
Gold Label Aramco Houston Half Marathon has held 16 U.S. Half Marathon
Championships and the Silver Label Chevron Houston Marathon has been the
race site for three U.S. Olympic Trials Marathons. For five consecutive
years, the events have garnered Gold Certification from the Council of
Responsible Sport and were also awarded the 2015 AIMS Green Award for
industry-leading sustainability initiatives. Race weekend generates over
$50 million in economic impact for the region annually. In addition to its
economic impact, the HMC facilitates social responsibility through its Run
for a Reason Charity Program which has raised over $27 million since its
inception and the Houston Marathon Foundation, which serves the greater
Houston area through support of youth and community organizations that
promote access to and participation in running. The event is televised
annually with 2016 being the first time the race received national and
international syndication airing on ESPN3 and the Longhorn Network.
For more information, visit www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com.
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