Three-time Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein will join elite American distance runners Meb Keflezighi, Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor at the 2015 Dallas Marathon, race organizers announced this week. This will be the first appearance at the Dallas Marathon for Ritzenhein, the top American finisher at the 2015 Boston Marathon. Ritzenhein and returning Dallas Marathon elite ambassadors Meb, Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor will participate in race weekend and promotional events for the Dallas Marathon, including a to-be-announced race day challenge.
The Dallas Marathon, Half Marathon and Behringer Relay is Sunday, December 13.
“Teaming up with the Dallas Marathon this December is going to be an exciting way to lead into next year’s Olympic trials,” said Ritzenhein. “I’m thrilled to be a part of race weekend and can’t wait to join Meb, Ryan and Deena in Dallas.”
The 32-year-old Ritzenhein is a three-time Olympian and owns the third-fastest American marathon time in history, with a PR of 2:07:47 set at the 2012 Chicago Marathon. He was the first American marathon finisher at the 2008 Olympic Games and is a three-time national cross country champion.
“We’re proud to continue to attract top American distance runners to Dallas as elite ambassador partners,” said Patrick Byerly, president of the Dallas Marathon. “Participants and spectators at this year’s race can expect an entertaining race day they won’t forget, with Dathan and all our elite ambassadors playing a huge part in that experience.”
Kastor, 42, will run the 2015 Chicago Marathon later this year in an attempt to set the women’s American Masters record. In addition to a bronze medal in the marathon at the 2004 Olympic Games, Kastor is the world Masters record holder in the half marathon – set last year in Philadelphia with a time of 1:09:36 – and owns the women’s American record times in the marathon (2:19:36) and half marathon (1:07:34).
Meb, 40, is the only athlete in history to win the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon and an Olympic medal in the marathon. In 2014, he became the first American in 31 years to win the Boston Marathon, with a PR of 2:08:37.
Hall, 32, is a two-time U.S. Olympic team marathoner and owns the U.S. record in the half marathon (59:43) and the fastest-ever run American time in the marathon (2:04:58).
At the 2014 Dallas Marathon, Ryan Hall and Meb Keflezighi partnered with the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Mavericks, respectively, to run in a five-person relay challenge, and Deena Kastor paced half marathon participants from Matthew McConaughey’s just keep livin Foundation.
To register for the Dallas Marathon, Half Marathon or Behringer Relay, or for more information, visit dallasmarathon.com.
