FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2021 Elite Runner Field Updated, As Of Sept. 22
Record Holders Terer, Guangul Return
Philemon Terer (Kenya) and Hirut Guangul (Ethiopia) highlight the men's and
women's elite runner fields, respectively, at the 2021 TBK Bank Quad Cities
Marathon. The race is scheduled for 7-am Sept. 26 with a start and finish
at John Deere Commons.
Terer is a three-time winner and men's course record holder. He won in 2019
(2:17:17), 2018 (2:14:25) and set the course record in 2013 (2:14:04).
Guangul is a five-time winner and women's course record holder. She won in
2019 (2:41:34), 2016 (2:44:25), 2015 (2:39:10), 2013 (2:38:50), and set the
course record in 2012 (2:35:07).
In the men's marathon, Tyler Pence (Springfield, IL) has a 2:15:39 best and
qualified for the most recent US Olympic Trials. Christopher Kipyego
(Kenya) is an elite master's runner who has recent overall wins at Detroit
(2018-19) and a recent best of 2:17:03 (2019). Other top seeded elites on
the men's side include: Luke Kibet (Kenya) and Gezahegb Abera Hunde
(Ethiopia).
In the women's marathon, Guangul is joined by two other former winners.
Joan Massah (Kenya) won the 2018 QCM in 2:43:01, while Valentyna Poltavska
(Ukraine) was the 2005 winner in 2:45:35. Poltavska also won the women's QC
masters in 2018 (2:49:34). Purity Muene (Columbia, SC) rounds out the top
contenders on the women's side.
The Mel Foster Co. Half Marathon will feature the deepest pre-race fields
in race history. Fifteen elites are entered for the men and seven for the
women. The race has a more regional and local flavor this year with
athletes represented from Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois. Top
regional USATF race teams from Running Wild Elite and Runablaze Iowa have a
number of entries in the half field. The half course records are 1:04:47
for the men (Coilin Mickow, 2019) and 1:14:23 for the women (Laura
Batterink, 2014).
New this year is expanded prize money for local runners. Full details of
the 2021 elite program are online at:
https://www.qcmarathon.org/elite-runners. The field, which is subject to
change, presently features 14 elites in the marathon and 22 in the half
marathon. Approximately one-third of the elite field are local runners.
The Marathon and Half Marathon Elite Fields follow, along with Bib Numbers
assigned.
MARATHON ELITE RUNNERS
MEN
1-Philemon Terer, Kenya
3-Luke Kibet, Kenya
5-Tyler Pence, Springfield, IL
9-Orinthal Striggles, Columbia, SC
11-Justin Verlinden, East Moline, IL
17-Alali Mo Abdulmohsen, Kuwait
19-Elijah Mwangani Saolo, Kenya
21-Gezahegb Abera Hunde, Ethiopia
23-Christopher Kipyego, Kenya
25-Taggar VanEtten, Morton, IL
WOMEN
2-Hirut Guangul, Ethioppia
4-Valentyna Poltavska, Ukraine
6-Joan Massah, Kenya
10-Purity Muene, Columbia, SC
HALF MARATHON ELITE RUNNERS
MEN
1005-Jay Welp, Iowa City, IA
1007-Omar Abdi, St. Louis, MO
1009-Brian Kemei, Kenya
1011-Sam Whan, Moline, IL
1013-Dalton Rice, Davenport, IA
1015-Cameron Shotton, Davenport, IA
1017-Devin Allbaugh, Bettendorf, IA
1019-Kevin Claus, Pt. Byron, IL
1021-Eli Miller, Van Horne, IA
1023-David Too, Des Moines, IA
1025-Blake Whalen, Des Moines, IA
1026-Warren Clarida, Iowa City, IA
1027-Dan Froeschle, Davenport, IA
1028-Kallin Carolus Khan, Iowa City, IA
1029-Coree Woltering, Ottawa, IL
WOMEN
1000-Emily Byrd, St. Paul, MN
1002-Patty O'Brien, Maplewood, MN
1004-Kasey Zielinski, Davenport, IA
1008-Marie O'Leary, St. Louis, MO
1010-Katie Baber, Davenport, IA
1012-Annie Froeschle, Davenport, IA
1014-Lizzie Lundine, Davenport, IA
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