Ten Monumental Champions to Run U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon

February 27, 2020

CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and Half Marathon Qualify 48 Athletes to Prestigious Event

INDIANAPOLIS – (February 27, 2020) – Ten previous champions of the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and Half Marathon, including all four champions from the previous two years, will compete this weekend in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon in Atlanta, Georgia. They will compete among the best athletes in the country while vying for one of three spots on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and Half Marathon saw their most competitive fields ever at the 2019 event with a total of 39 athletes running under the time standard to compete in the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Men had to meet a standard of 2:19:00 in the marathon or 1:04:00 for the half marathon, while women had to meet standards of 2:45:00 or 1:13:00 to be eligible to compete.

In just the marathon distance, the event has qualified a total of 31 declared athletes, the 5^th most among any marathon in the world (https://www.atlanta2020trials.com/qualifier-statistics).

“Our elite fields in 2019 highlighted that our course is among the top marathons in the country to run fast,” said Jed Cornforth, Executive Director, Beyond Monumental, “If you’re looking to run a Boston Marathon qualifying time, set a new personal best, or want a flat, fast course for your first marathon, Indianapolis is ideal.”

Over 18% of marathon finishers achieved a Boston Marathon qualifying time in 2019, the 7^th most of any marathon in the country.

The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon was a completely sold out event last year. Registration is currently open at monumentalmarathon.com.

Previous CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Champions Competing:

Men
Nate Guthals – marathon, 2019
Dan Nester – half marathon, 2019
Aaron Fletcher – marathon, 2018
Brogan Austin – half marathon, 2018
Michael Eaton – marathon, 2014

Women
Dot McMahan – marathon, 2019
Molly Grabill – half marathon, 2019
Laurie Knowles – marathon, 2018
Allison Cleaver – half marathon, 2018
Laura Portis – marathon, 2017

Full List of Athletes Qualified at Monumental Events (Source: Marathonguide.com)

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About Beyond Monumental

Beyond Monumental provides the Indianapolis community with a complement of activities built around their premiere event that promotes healthy living & fitness for all ages. Beyond Monumental gives back to the Indianapolis community by supporting youth programming that reinforces healthy lifestyles for young people, with an emphasis on working with urban students and Indianapolis Public Schools, donating more than $1.3 million in 11 years. The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is a top 15 marathon in the US and is nationally recognized by Runners’ World as one of “Ten Great Marathons for First Timers.” The 13th annual running is scheduled for Nov. 7, 2020. www.beyondmonumental.org