The Marathon Project descends on Chandler, Arizona this weekend in a return to racing after five years that encourages runners to push for their best time on a course that is flat and fast.
The event was originally created in 2020 during the pandemic as options for racing dwindled as concerns over safety for participants in any mass gathering globally took priority over staging events. With few options available to race, the race was concept that co-founders Ben Rosario and Josh Fox pushed for — and made into a reality.
The inaugural race saw performances that not only drew attention to event but showed what an expanded version of the event could look like over time. Sarah Hall clocked a 2:20:32 to win the women’s race, which was the second-fastest American female marathon at the time, while Martin Hehir won the men’s field in 2:08:59 in a race where seven American men broke 2:10:00 for the first and only time in competition.
Over 500 athletes from 39 states and 17 countries will take on criterium-style course that is six loops with little elevation gain. And for this year’s version, organizers envisioned a bigger event, greater attention to detail that would benefit athletes and a race concept that would draw a competitive environment to close out the year.
Leading the way on the men’s side is two-time Olympic medalist Paul Chelimo, who brings proven track experience into Sunday’s race as he continues his move into distance road racing. For Chelimo, 35, this will be another test of his quest to become proven on the marathon circuit. He dropped out of the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials after just 12km but ran 2:18:08 at the Generali Maratón de Málaga in Spain last December.
Brian Shrader will look to lower his personal best of 2:09:46 from the 2023 Chicago Marathon, while Ben Rosa makes the jump from being a 10k collegiate standout as he makes his marathon debut in Chandler. Thomas Broatch, Johannes Motschmann and JP Flavin will also be a factor in Sunday’s race and have all recorded 2:10 times that are likely to be lowered on the race’s flat course.
In the women’s field, Kellyn Taylor will be one to watch as the competitor in the group with the lowest personal best (2:24:29) and deep experience at a range of distances from 5k and 10k through the marathon. She will be joined by Paige Wood, with a 2:26:02 personal best, who knows the course as a 2020 participant and should be a factor in the closing stages of the race.
Start times
Sunday, December 21
9:15 a.m. – Professional marathon
12:30 p.m. – Professional race awards ceremony
How To Watch
The professional Marathon will be broadcast live on FloTrack, with coverage beginning at 9 a.m. with a pre-race show.
Steve Sievert will provide play-by-play with color commentary by Scott Fauble and Molly Seidel.
All times Eastern
Women’s pro field
Kellyn Taylor (USA) – 2:24:29
Paige Wood (USA) – 2:26:02
Blanka Dörfel (Germany) – Debut
Molly Grabill (USA) – 2:26:46
Jane Bareikis (USA) – 2:29:00
Hanna Lindholm (Sweden) – 2:28:59
Mica Wood (Peru) – Debut
Lanni Marchant (Canada) – 2:28:00
Alia Hansen (USA) – 2:30:41
Brittney Feivor-Smith (USA) – 2:30:51
Sofia Camacho (Mexico) – 2:31:29
Rachel Hannah (Canada) – 2:34:33
Jaci Smith (USA) – 2:36:34
Jessica Watychowicz (USA) – 2:33:02
Briana Boehmer (USA) – 2:33:20
Men’s pro field
Paul Chelimo (USA) – 2:18:08
Brian Shrader (USA) – 2:09:46
Thomas Broatch (Canada) – 2:10:35
Johannes Motschmann (Germany) – 2:10:39
JP Flavin (USA) – 2:10:50
Thomas Fafard (Canada) – Debut
Dillon Maggard (USA) – 2:33:39
Barry Keane (Ireland) – 2:23:34
Ben Rosa (USA) – Debut
Nadeel Wildschutt (South Africa) – Debut
Nick Hauger (USA) – 2:11:48
Kevin Salvano (USA) – 2:11:26
Turner Wiley (USA) – 2:11:55
