Bank of America Chicago Marathon Sets Stage for Elite Showdown, Announces Olympian Mo Farah Joining Race
Farah and defending champion Galen Rupp were once training partners and made history together in the 2012 London Olympics
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Carey Pinkowski, race director for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, talks about what’s ahead as the city begins preparing for the big 2018 event.
Defending Bank of America Chicago Marathon champion Galen Rupp will race a familiar face as he attempts to run for a second victory in the Windy City.
That's because four-time Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah, Rupp's former training partner, has joined the elite field in Chicago.
The two made history together in the 2012 London Olympics, finishing with gold and silver medals in the 10,000m.
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A man holds a sign in the Chicago Marathon, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Galen Rupp of the United States speaks to the media after winning the men's race during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Jordan Hasay of the United States finishes with a time of 2:20:57 during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia wins the women's race with a time of 2:18:31 during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Galen Rupp of the United States celebrates after winning the men's race with a time of 2:09:20 during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Galen Rupp of the United States wins the men's race with a time of 2:09:20 during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Galen Rupp of the United States wins the men's race with a time of 2:09:20 during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Tatyana McFadden of the United States wins the women's wheelchair race with a time of 1:39:15 during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Marcel Hug of Switzerland celebrates after winning the men's wheelchair race during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: A detail view of the participant medals during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Runners make their way down Columbus Drive during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Runners make their way down Columbus Drive during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Runners make their way down Columbus Drive during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Runners make their way down Columbus Drive during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Runners make their way down Columbus Drive during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Runners make their way down Columbus Drive during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Runners make their way down Columbus Drive during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Wheelchair racers make their way down Columbus Drive during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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The Chicago race will mark Farah's third go at marathon distance and his first 42k on U.S. soil.
“Mo and Galen are two of the greatest distance runners of all time,” Executive Race Director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Carey Pinkowski said in a statement. “They come to Chicago following in the footsteps of incredible runners like Khalid Khannouchi, Sammy Wanjiru, Moses Tanui, Paul Tergat, Steve Jones and more. These two runners have competed at the highest level of competition and I’m confident they will come prepared for what’s shaping up to be an epic showdown.”
Farah made headlines in the 2016 Rio Olympics when he experienced a dramatic fall, but regained his footing and ultimately won his second straight gold.
Now, Rupp and Farah will race it out once again in the 41st annual marathon in Chicago, being held Sunday, Oct. 7.
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.
The 2017 Chicago Marathon was only his fourth marathon ever.
In addition to setting the stage for an elite showdown, marathon organizers also revealed plans to re-introduce pacers, or "rabbits," back into the competition after spending a few years without.
“The championship style of racing that spectators enjoy will continue as the race enters its final miles,” Pinkowski said. “The epic 2010 duel between the late Wanjiru and Tsegaye Kebede – arguably one of the greatest finishes in marathon history –underscores the importance of the tactics that still exist and flourish in paced races.”
