Galen Rupp Returns to Marathon with 16th Place Finish

Galen Rupp finished 16th at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday with a time of 2:09:41. He was the fifth American to cross the line.

What happened?

Rupp returned to the marathon distance after a 20-month hiatus due to hip-related injuries.

He last ran a marathon at the U.S. Olympic Trials in February 2024, where he finished 16th in 2:14:07.

Since then, he underwent surgery and has been racing himself back into shape this fall.

Why it matters for Galen Rupp

Rupp's finish in Chicago was 21 seconds faster than Elkanah Kibet's American masters record of 2:10:02, set in 2024.

He has his eyes on the Los Angeles Olympic cycle, with 2028 as his ultimate goal.

Rupp is one of the most decorated American distance runners of all time, with two Olympic medals and 11 national titles.

What comes next?

Rupp is still seven months away from turning 40 and officially becoming a masters runner.

He finished 18th at the New Haven Road Race 20K on September 1, running 1:00:02, and was third at the Philadelphia Distance Run half marathon three weeks ago in a time of 1:02:42.

Galen Rupp owns a marathon personal best of 2:06:07 from the 2018 Prague Marathon.

Jacob Kiplimo was the overall winner at the Chicago Marathon, setting a new personal best of 2:02:23 in his second marathon.

Conner Mantz led the U.S. men in fourth place, shattering the American marathon record in 2:04:43.

Theo Kahler, the senior news editor at Runner's World, reported on the event.

Rupp has no intention of retiring anytime soon, and his time in Chicago shows he still has a lot to give in the marathon.