Pennsylvanians Clara Santucci and Jed Christiansen headline a competitive American elite field at the sold-out DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, slated for Sunday, May 4. Runners will compete for an overall Marathon prize purse of $47,000 plus an additional $26,000 available to Americans as part of Pittsburgh’s inaugural American Development Program.
Clara Santucci, 27, of Dilliner, Pa. leads the women’s Marathon field as the top American female at the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes, 38 seconds. After debuting at the 2011 B.A.A. Boston Marathon in a swift 2:29:54 and a 1:12:22 half-marathon clocking at the recent IAAF World Championships, Clara is making her name in the running world as the marathoner to watch in 2014.
Other notable competitors in the women’s field include:
- Jane Vongvorachoti, 30, of New York, N.Y., who has transitioned from professional soccer player to elite runner, will debut in the Marathon after an impressive 1:15:24 finish at the 2014 USA Half Marathon Championships.
- Emily Field, 33, of Dallas, Texas, won the 2011 Wipro San Francisco Marathon in 2:50:24 and will run in Pittsburgh for a 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying time.
- Kathleen Jobes, 44, of Bethlehem, Pa. is the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Female Masters champion with a time of 2:47:53. She plans to impress on May 4 as she competes for first place in the Masters division.
For the U.S. men, Jed Christiansen, 27, of Greenville, Pa. tops the field after finishing runner-up at the 2013 Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Half-Marathon in 1:06:01. With a personal record of 2:18:31 at the 2011 Bank of American Chicago Marathon, Jed is ready to push his limits on Pittsburgh’s challenging Marathon course.
Also expected in the men’s field is:
· Richard Morris, 26, of Burkeville, Va., who set his personal record of 2:24:02 at the 2013 Marine Corps Marathon, will vie for a top American finish in Pittsburgh.
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