Two-time Winner Ayantu Dakebu Hailemaryam Aims for Three-peat at 2019 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
Top international field expected for 11th edition on Sunday, May 5 in the City of Champions; race offers a guaranteed prize purse of $50,500 including $8,000 for each race champion
PITTSBURGH – Two-time winner Ayantu Dakebu Hailemaryam seeks to repeat against a top international field at this year’s DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, set for Sunday, May 5. This year’s 26.2 mile race will feature a total prize purse of $50,500, including $8,000 for each race champion.
Hailemaryam, of Ethiopia, won the women’s division of the 2016 DICK’S Sporting Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 39 minutes and 18 seconds. She repeated in 2017, improving her time by nearly three minutes to finish in 2:36:20. To earn the coveted laurel wreath once again, she will need to beat fellow Ethiopians Bose Gemeda Assefa, the 2018 Richmond Marathon Champion who has a marathon personal best of 2:32:59, and Bizuwork Getahun Kasaye, the 2018 the Vermont City Marathon champion who has a marathon personal best of 2:38:15.
The impressive women’s field includes decorated race champions and rising American athletes, including Christina Murphy and Brittany Tretbar who will lead this year’s American field. Tretbar is making her Pittsburgh debut and has a marathon personal best of 2:41:29. Murphy, who won the 2018 Columbus Marathon, returns to Pittsburgh after placing third in 2015.
“This is my first time back in Pittsburgh since finishing third in 2015,” said Murphy. “I am so excited to experience the challenges of the course and the excitement of the crowds again on May 5 and hopefully improve upon my previous performance!”
In the men’s race, Ethiopian Tadesse Yae Dabi, the 2018 Philadelphia Marathon champion, is the top seeded runner with a marathon personal best of 2:11:50. He will face tough competition from Kenyans Eliud Ngetich, the 2019 Mercedes Marathon winner who has a marathon personal best of 2:11:59, and Boniface Kongin, the 2017 Philadelphia Marathon who has a marathon personal best of 2:14:00. Ethiopian Birhanu Dare Kemal, with a marathon personal best of 2:12:21, will return to the race after placing fourth last year.
This year’s race has also attracted emerging American professional athletes who hope to use their finishing time in Pittsburgh to qualify for the 2020 U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials. To support these athletes, P3R will provide a pace team who will lead the American female elites to an Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifying “B” Standard time. The trio of Pittsburgh competitive runners will reach the finish line in 2:44:59 (“B” Standard time is 2:45:00).
“As part of our American Development Program, we are committed to supporting promising American competitive runners and helping them launch their running careers,” said P3R CEO Patrice Matamoros. “We hope to see several athletes qualify for the U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials on race day and to celebrate with them as they get one step closer to achieving their Olympic dreams.”
The full list of elite athletes competing in the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon will be released in late April. For more information about the 2019 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, go to: ThePittsburghMarathon.com
Link to story: http://pittsburghmarathon.com/Ayantu-Dakebu-Hailemaryam-Aims-for-Three-peat-at-2019-Pittsburgh-Marathon
Story contact: Kelsey Emch, P3R Public Relations, 417-425-9400
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About Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R)
P3R is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about promoting a love of running and enhancing community access to health & fitness education and activities. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, we also run a variety of other high-quality races, events, and health and fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. The only criterion for participation is a desire to be happy, healthy and active! Read more at P3R.org.
