Emma Bates

Emma Bates (born July 8, 1992, in Elk River, Minnesota) is a distinguished American long-distance runner, specializing in the marathon. A 12-time All-American at Boise State University, she clinched the 2014 NCAA title in the 10,000 meters. Bates turned professional in 2015, initially joining the Boston Athletic Association's High Performance Team. In 2018, she made a remarkable marathon debut by winning the USATF Marathon Championships at the California International Marathon with a time of 2:28:18 . Her marathon career has since flourished, highlighted by a second-place finish at the 2021 Chicago Marathon (2:24:20) and a personal best of 2:22:10 at the 2023 Boston Marathon, where she finished fifth overall and was the top American woman .​ After sustaining a foot injury during the 2023 Chicago Marathon, Bates withdrew from the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Nonetheless, she returned to compete in the 2024 Boston Marathon, finishing as the top American woman for the second consecutive year with a time of 2:27:14. Currently, Bates trains in Boulder, Colorado, with Team Boss under coach Joe Bosshard and is sponsored by Asics . Known for her resilience and engaging presence, she continues to be a prominent figure in American distance running.​