Rupp to Use Houston Race as Tune-Up for Boston

By Scott Bush, DyeStat Editor

Less than two weeks to go until the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon, race organizers have announced their pro fields for each race. Leading the way in the half marathon contest is Galen Rupp, who will use Houston as a tune-up for the Boston Marathon, which takes place on April 17. 

Rupp is joined by fellow Rio Olympic marathon medalist Feyisa Lilesa (ETH), who earned silver to Rupp's bronze this past summer. The duo finds itself surrounded by some serious international and domestic talent, including Leonard Korir, Luke Puskedra, Yigrem Demelash (ETH) and Samsom Gebreyohanne (ERI).

Rupp's personal best over the half marathon distance is 60:30, set in 2011 at the NYC Half. The Oregon native is more proven on the roads now, having earned America's first Olympic marathon medal since 2004, when Meb Keflezighi won silver in Athens, while besting Keflezighi at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials early last year.

Fans will most certainly keep an eye on the early pace, as Ryan Hall's American record of 59:43, set in Houston in 2007, may not be safe. 

On the women's side, two-time World Half Marathon Championship medalist Mary Wacera (KEN) leads the way, sure to find tough competition from the likes of Ethiopians Mamitu Daska and Mare Dibaba. 

The American charge is led by Kellyn Taylor. Taylor placed sixth at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2016, coming back during the summer to place fourth in the 10,000m at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Aliphine Tuliamuk, who beecame an American citizen in 2016 and showed some domainance on the roads, winning three U.S. titles as well as the USATF Running Circuit overall title is also entered. The two are joined by Jordan Hasay and Sara Hall, both capable of challenging for top ten finishes against the tough competition.