Chasing Records at Chicago Marathon

It was a day for chasing records at the Chicago Marathon. John Korir called his shot back in April, the day after winning the Boston Marathon. Conner Mantz wanted to go after the American Record (he ran faster than the record previously but it was on a record-ineligible net-downhill course). And Rory Linkletter wanted to go after the Canadian Record, which also happened to be the North American Area Record. John Korir and Jacob Kiplimo set out at a blistering pace, running shoulder to shoulder for much of the race until they could shed the rest of the field. Korir dropped out late in the race, at which point Kiplimo eased up on the pace of what was a potential WR scare. He finished at 2:02:21, the second fastest time ever run in Chicago (behind only the WR and ahead of Korir’s win last year) There was some talk that Linkletter and Mantz might run together for some of the race, but Mantz’ 2:04 pacing put him in the first chase pack with Linkletter running behind in the second chase pack for much of the race. Mantz looked like Mantz for the entire race, and had the course been just a bit longer, he might have had a chance to kick for third. He settled for fourth and the American Record of 2:04:43. Linklekletter came through the finish shortly thereafter, finishing alone at a time of 2:06:49, first Canadian, and 9th overall. I will need to verify, but I believe that Rory has raced with a mustache twice and has missed his goal each time.