Alexi Pappas, a 2016 Olympian for Greece (she holds dual Greek-American citizenship), is familiar with the energy and enthusiasm of Chicago’s running community. She is set to make her marathon debut in the city that saw her win the 2015 and 2016 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. 

Name: Alexi Pappas

Country of origin: Greece/United States

Standout races: Pappas’ first experience in Chicago was actually the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon where she led a group of U.S. Olympic Trials hopefuls as a pacer. Pappas experienced an impressive Olympic debut performance in Rio in the 10,000m. She set the Greek national record and a new PR to finish 17th in 31:36.16. Pappas hasn’t raced much since the 2016 Olympics. A three-time All-American, Pappas etched her name in the Dartmouth record books by recording the third fastest times in the 3000m and 5000m, and, as a graduate student, she helped lead the 2012 Oregon Ducks to their first NCAA Cross Country Championship since 1987.

More about Alexi Pappas: Off the roads, Pappas – a poet, writer, actress and filmmaker – is a creative force to be reckoned with. Her debut film with her husband, Jeremy Teicher, "Tall as a Baobab Tree," earned strong reviews. Her most recent film, "Tracktown," premiered in 2016 to a sold-out crowd. Pappas is currently writing a book of essays, "Bravey," in partnership with Random House. She has a solid fan base with more than 30,000 followers on Twitter and Instagram.