Galen Rupp (& Hellen Obiri) to Run Houston Half, Rupp Could Unlock 3rd US Men’s Olympic Spot With Good Showing

Earlier immediately, the organizers of the Aramco Houston Half Marathon despatched out a press launch that they’ve secured two large names for his or her upcoming race, which takes place on January 14 (press launch seems beneath this text). Hellen Obiri of Kenya, the reigning Boston and NYC Marathon champ, will headline the ladies’s area whereas American star Galen Rupp can be within the males’s area. It is going to be each runners’ first appearances within the Houston Half.

With Rupp entered, it’s attainable the entire drama of what number of spots will the US males get for the Olympic marathon may lastly, formally come to an finish. LetsRun.com has calculated that if Rupp runs 60:47 or quicker in Houston, he’ll vault as much as #64 on to the Highway To Paris record (assuming nothing adjustments on the record earlier than then — the Dubai Marathon is January 7). If Rupp holds that place till January 30, the US can be assured three males’s Olympic marathon individuals when the US Olympic Trials happen on February 3 in Orlando. They wouldn’t want to attend till April 30, when spots #65-80 on the Highway to Paris turn into eligible for the Olympics.

If Rupp runs quicker than 60:02 in Houston, he’d transfer as much as #63 on the present Highway To Paris record.

Rupp doubtless wouldn’t have to run 60:47 to maneuver as much as #64 as there are bonus factors awarded for a top-6 end. The Houston Half is taken into account to be a Class B race so there are 10 factors for 1st, 7 for 2nd, then 5-3-2-1 for locations three by means of six. At Rupp’s degree, one bonus level is price roughly 1.5 seconds within the half marathon (10 bonus factors is 15 seconds). For instance, if Rupp was second in 60:58, it might be the equal of working 60:47 with no bonus factors. Final yr, nonetheless, 60:58 was third in Houston, and in that case Rupp can be ranked #65 on the present rankings.

Speak about Rupp, Houston and the US Olympic Marathon Trials on our world-famous messageboard.

MB: Galen Rupp (& Hellen Obiri) to run Houston Half. If Rupp runs 60:47 or quicker, he’ll transfer as much as #64 on Highway to Paris record.

The complete Houston press launch seems beneath.

December 21, 2023

Elite athlete headliners look to be one for the file books even earlier than the race begins

HOUSTON, TX – ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE – The reigning TCS New York Metropolis Marathon and Boston Marathon Champion and probably the most embellished distance runner in American historical past will headline one of many strongest fields ever assembled for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon subsequent month.

The Houston Marathon Committee introduced immediately that Hellen Obiri and Galen Rupp will each race in Houston for the primary time on January 14. For Obiri, the race will mark her first competitors since her victory in New York final November the place she grew to become the primary individual to win Boston and New York in the identical yr since 1989.

“I’ve been dwelling in the US for some time now however even after I was in Kenya, I do know that Houston is an excellent race with a quick course,” Stated Obiri who lives in Boulder, Colorado. “I need to run the marathon on the Olympics in Paris so to run some half marathons is a crucial a part of my preparations,” she mentioned.

Obiri is a finalist to symbolize Kenya within the marathon on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games. The group of three can be introduced subsequent month. Obiri is a two-time Olympic silver medalist and a two-time World Championship gold medalist within the 5000m. She can also be the 2019 World Cross Nation Champion. In her most up-to-date half marathon, the RAK Half Marathon final February, Obiri gained in 1:04:22, the fifth quickest half marathon time in historical past.

Rupp will line up as a part of his preparation for the U.S. Olympic Staff Trials – Marathon in February. If he locations within the prime three, he’ll make his third consecutive U.S. marathon group and his fourth consecutive Olympic video games. Rupp is the 2016 bronze medalist within the marathon and the 2012 silver medalist within the 10,000m. He has gained the final two Olympic marathon trials and comes into the 2024 Trials with the third quickest time amongst American males.

“I’ve been working laborious since Chicago and my coaching goes effectively,” mentioned Rupp who completed eighth within the 2023 Financial institution of America Chicago Marathon with a time of two:08:48. In fact, the main focus is on the trials and making the Olympic group however with Houston being three weeks out I see it as the right alternative to check myself and simply ensure I’m on monitor to the place I need to be,” he mentioned.

Rupp is one in every of three American males in historical past to interrupt one hour within the half marathon, becoming a member of Ryan Corridor and Leonard Korir. He’s an eight-time U.S. champion within the 10,000m.

“2024 goes to be an thrilling yr for distance working around the globe,” mentioned Wade Morehead, Govt Director of the Houston Marathon Committee. “We’re excited that it’ll all begin right here in Houston with elite fields of this caliber in each the marathon and half marathon.”

Full begin lists for the elite fields can be introduced subsequent month. The Aramco Houston Half Marathon and Chevron Houston Marathon can be held on Sunday, January 14 with the beginning and end line in downtown Houston. Each occasions are bought out. Entries are nonetheless accessible for Saturday’s We Are Houston 5K offered by Aramco and Chevron.

About Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC) – Based in 1972, the HMC is a founding member of Operating USA and organizes the nation’s premier winter marathon, half marathon, and 5K internet hosting over 300,000 individuals, volunteers, and spectators on race day. Acknowledged by World Athletics, the Gold Label Chevron Houston Marathon has been the race website for 3 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathons. The Gold Label Aramco Houston Half Marathon has hosted 16 U.S. Half Marathon Championships. The HMC obtained Gold Certification from the Council for Accountable Sport from 2011 to 2020, and the occasion garnered the 2015 AIMS Inexperienced Award for industry-leading sustainability initiatives. Race weekend generates over $50 million in financial affect for the area yearly and has raised $35 million by means of the Run for a Cause Charity Program since its inception in 1995. The occasion is broadcast reside on ABC13 and syndicated nationally and internationally on ESPN3 and the Longhorn Community.