Added to the field are two American
elites: Matthew Tegenkamp and Adriana Nelson.
Dropped from the field is Ethiopia elite:
Ejegayehu Dibaba, due to a leg injury.
on the track and the American record-holder in the outdoor two-mile (8:07.07).
He made his marathon debut at the 2013 Chicago Marathon, finishing10th
in 2:12:28. At the 2014 New York City Half Marathon, he finished seventh
and top American in a personal best 1:02:04. Highlights of his career include
two national titles in the 3,000m indoors and a national title in the 5,000m
outdoors. He is one of only five American men to have broken the 13-minute
barrier in the 5,000m (12:58.56). A three-time World Championships participant,
Tegenkamp has finished as high as fourth in the 5,000m. As a junior runner,
Tegenkamp finished fifth at the 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships,
behind Dathan Ritzenhein and Kenenisa Bekele. The 2015 Boston Marathon
will be Tegenkamp’s second marathon.
“It’s an honor and privilege to have
an opportunity to compete in America’s greatest race,” says Tegenkamp.
“This being my first time on the Boston course I don’t know what
to expect, but I will bring my competitive fire and fitness.”
Adriana Nelson is one of America’s
best marathon runners. In 2013, she won the U.S. Half Marathon Championships
and was the first American woman to finish the New York City Marathon.
Before becoming an American citizen in 2011, Nelson (formerly Pirtea) was
a Romanian national champion in the 5,000m (four times) and 10,000m (two-times).
A career highlight for Nelson was her second place finish at the
2007 Chicago Marathon.
the world, I can say with 100 percent confidence there isn’t another race
like the Boston Marathon,” says Nelson. “I asked myself what makes it
different and I think it comes down to the people. It’s not only
the runners competing in the race, but all the passionate spectators and
volunteers that make Boston such an iconic event. I am so honored
and excited to be back this year and toe the line with the world’s best.”