Ruth Chepngetich went out on world record pace, faded big time, but hung on to win as Emma Bates executed a wonderful race to finish 2nd, with Sara Hall 3rd.

We share our six biggest storylines with you and introduce you to the new men's favorite - Reuben Kipyego - whom we just learned was running the race today.

Chelanga ran 28:43 to beat out Fred Huxham by 2-seconds while Galen Rupp ran 29:05 for 8th. Hall won in 31:41 over Emily Durgin (31:49). *Results

Rupp will attempt to win his 2nd Chicago just 63 days after the Olympics while Sara Hall will be going for the American record. *MB: Galen Rupp and Sara Hall to run Chicago Marathon. Rupp will try Olympics/Chicago double 63 days apart. Can Hall get the AR?

Emily Sisson showed she was a level above everyone else as she won her first USA track title and made her first Olympic team, joined by Karissa Schweizer and Alicia Monson.

She won over Violah Cheptoo (31:39), Bernard Lagat's younger sister. Molly Seidel was 5th in 32:13.

Sara Hall and Zane Robertson rave about them. ""I definitely can run faster in them. I can't really imagine going back to anything I've run in before after running in these," said Hall in ad that features her.

Hall thinks she despite becoming a parent, not because of it, but says she was willing to give up running to be a mom. "I see a correlation where my kids feel empowered to go after their dreams. Before kids, I struggled with not always seeing the positive impact of my running on others. It feels really self-centered. The upside now is that I don’t have as much of a conflict with that. I see the positive effects in real time.”

2020 was full of highs and lows - just ask Sara Hall. We hand out awards for a year unlike any other. *MB: The 2020 LetsRun.com Awards Are Out - Best Runner, Best Comeback, Biggest Disappointment, Most Inspirational & More

The Marathon Project Champions Sara Hall and Marty Hehir joined us to talk their great days in Arizona.

Live results and leaderboards for The Marathon Project.

Hall is planning on running the first half in 69:40, while the next group is slated to hit halfway in 71:30. Kellyn Taylor, Stephanie Bruce, Emma Bates, and D'Amato are among the US stars chasing PBs in the desert.

Let this serve as your official "American record alert." While Ryan refused to use those words, he said he'd like to see Sara go out in 69:40 so we'll let you do the math. "This has been the fittest I've ever seen her. Every buildup she gets better and better," said Ryan.

Mark your calendars, the February 19th race is something athletics fans can get excited about. The marathon WR holder Brigid Kosgei vs. the half marathon WR holder in Ababel Yeshaneh headline the women's race. For the men, we get a replay of gold vs silver from World Half in Jacob Kiplimo vs. Kibiwott Kandie. Every time Yeshaneh and Kosgei have raced so far, one of them has broken the WR. And Sara Hall of the US is making the trip.

Kosgei winning convincingly may not have been a shock but the name of the second-place finisher sure was, Sara Hall.

An American hadn't finished in the top 3 in London since 2006 but Sara Hall ran the race of her life and mowed down everyone in the field save Brigid Kosgei (2:18:58) to finish second in 2:22:01 after outkicking world champ Ruth Chepngetich. US Olympian Molly Seidel was 6th (2:25:13).