Chicago Marathon elite field announced. Is it weak?

I think it was a smart switch by Chicago. Their style of race was competing with Berlin, but African runners live closer to Berlin and the course has historically been faster than Chicago. Now they get to compete with New York in a championship-style race. The Chicago course is way faster than New York, so runners like the top Americans can get the slower race at the front, have a better competitive chance, and finish with times more respectable than you see in New York.

I'm not sure it's a coincidence this happens right as Wittenberg steps down, too, as they have to think going forward they can poach the type of talent she was good at recruiting (first time American marathoners).

Realistically this means they lose the time trial record setters unless they can offer huge appearance fees, but they are likely already getting Berlin's sloppy seconds. I'd wager, though, that they are hoping seeing American marathoners finish higher in the rankings will cost less and be more lucrative to their local branding going forward.

It's an undoubtedly weak field. Many top Africans have aged. Those guys could use a win to revitalize their careers, though, so it's a little bit exciting to see them duking it out. The women's side is full of American masters (who I actually look forward to seeing race it). I love that Joan Benoit has the third fastest PR. Florence Kiplagat is the best in the field by far, but I have to wonder what Renato is thinking having her in this race with the pacers removed. Renato, why Chicago at this point? Is it better for Olympics training cycle timing and preparation? Money? Location?

Thanks for starting the link. FOr someon reason their press release went to our 'Updates" folder in gmail. So we totally missed it given all of the doping news yesterday.

I just put up the press release on our site here:

http://www.letsrun.com/?p=89004

Also here is a list of all of the elites with PBs:

http://www.letsrun.com/?p=89005

To answer your question, yes, it seems weak to me. It's amazing how things change. When LetsRun.com started in 2000, Chicago had the best fields in America. I remember thinking we need to embarrass Boston and New york into upping their game. Thankfully Mary W took care of new york and Boston upped their game. IN recent years, it seems to me that Chicago has been sliding.

I'm going to analyze it some more for the week that was but my gosh it sure seems weak. The women's field has just 4 women in it who have run under 2:25. Just 4 (not counting samuleson/kastor who aren't doing it).

Since the start of 2014, 48 women have broken 2:25..There are 6 majors, and Worlds were just held so if you say there are 7, then it would be nearly 7 per event but we are talking having ever done it, not done it in 2014/2015.

I know of several Americans not on the list.

But most of the guys who have a shot at the team are skipping a fall marathon, other than Meb.

I like seeing Sara Hall on this list. She'll likely PR (unless injury or bad conditions) and it will give her the confidence she wanted in order to believe she's decent at the marathon. With that behind her she'll compete at the trials with an eye on Rio.

The men's side has a few guys who have run very fast at Chicago, but without pacers or one of them unofficially agreeing to pace I just don't see a fast time happening.

The American Dane Rauschenberg is also not on the list.
most likely resting and attempting to peak for the Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles.

I have a sinking feeling Chicago will be a very disappointing race. Some B-list Africans running an erratically paced race for a mediocre time. Top Americans not running because of the trials, obviously.

Chicago lost its allure in 2011 when they fenced in the starting area so non-participants can't mingle with the runners in the starting area.

So much for Kara Goucher wanting to run a good marathon before the Trials.

20k had a better field

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The RIGHT shoe wrote:

20k had a better field

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