The American record now belongs to Emily Sisson after a masterful performance at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.
The talented runner who also holds the American record in the half-marathon, ran 2:18:29 to not only secure the American women’s marathon record, but it also gave her a second place finish behind Ruth Chepngetich, who ran 2:14:18 for the win.
“I actually didn’t know what pace I was on the whole time,” Sisson said after the race. “I was given instructions to go off my pacers and not think about time at all, so I had no clue what pace I was running until a mile to go. A few people told me to pick it up, so I thought I must be close to breaking 2:20, or the American record, but I didn’t know which one. So when I crossed the finish line, I was really surprised with the time and the place.
“I’m just really happy, it’s been so long since I’ve run a marathon and I’m really happy to have a positive experience here.”
Keira D’Amato was the previous and most recent American record holder in the women’s marathon. D’Amato, along with Deena Kastor and Joan Samuelson who also held the American record in the event, were in Chicago to cheer on Sisson.
