BOSTON — The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has unveiled an elite roster for the 2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon, slated for November 12. The event, presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, will feature defending champions Viola Chepngeno, Geoffrey Koech, and Jenna Fesemyer. The race will also feature the American half marathon record holder Keira D’Amato.
2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon Highlights
- Defending champions Viola Chepngeno, Geoffrey Koech, and Jenna Fesemyer return to compete.
- American half marathon record holder Keira D’Amato leads the American contingent.
- Nearly 9,000 athletes expected to participate, led by a star-studded professional field.
- Ten men in the elite field have sub-61 minute personal bests.
- Significant charitable contributions, with Dana-Farber runners raising over $8 million since 2003.
A Competitive Landscape
“As one of the most competitive half marathons in the country, we’re eager to bring many of the best open, wheelchair, and Para athletes in the world to Boston,” said Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the B.A.A.
Nearly 9,000 athletes are expected to participate, making it one of the most anticipated races in the event’s history.
International and National Stars
The field is replete with international and national record holders. Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia, a three-time world championships medalist and the 2022 B.A.A. 5K champion, will compete against the liked of Tokyo Marathon champion Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya and world cross country silver medalist Tsigie Gebreselama of Ethiopia.
Defending champion Viola Chepngeno of Kenyan is also returning to defend her title.
The loaded field will also feature Kenya’s 2019 B.A.A. 10K champion Fancy Chamutai, who enters with the fastest PB at 1:04:54, as well as last year’s runner-up Bosena Mulatie, and two-time B.A.A. Half Marathon second place finisher Cynthia Limo.
Read more: Senbere Teferi beats Hellen Obiri At 2023 Mastercard Mini 10K with record run
On the American front, national half marathon record holder Keira D’Amato will lead the way and the 39-year-old will have a very talented group of ladies joining her for the host country. D’Amato set the American half marathon record at this year’s Gold Coast Half Marathon in Australia, clocking 1:06:39.
Lindsay Flanagan, Susanna Sullivan, and Natosha Rodgers, who represented the U.S. at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest earlier this year, will also be toeing the line. Compatriot Rachel Schneider Smith, who represented the U.S. at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo over 5,000m, will be making her B.A.A. Half Marathon debut.
Men’s Elite Field
The men’s elite field for the 2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon is equally impressive, featuring ten runners with sub-61 minute personal bests –four of which have dipped under the hour mark at their best.
Kenya’s Abel Kipchumba, with a lifetime best and the No. 7 fastest time on the all-time list, at 58:07, leads the pack. Based on PBs, the 29-year-old will start as the man to beat, but he can expect to be challenged by the likes of Shadrack Kimining of Kenya and Mohamed El Aaraby of Morocco.
Leading the way for Americans are Nadir Yusuf (1:03:23), Kevin Koski (1:03:35) and Ryan Cutter (1:03:54). The trio will be aiming to finish closer to the 60 minute mark at the end of the contest.
Wheelchair and Para Athletes
In the wheelchair division, Jenna Fesemyer, who set a course record last year, returns to defend her title. The Para Athletics Division will see the return of Brian Reynolds and Marko Cheseto, both of whom set world records in their respective categories last year.
Charitable Impact
The event has a significant charitable component as well. Dana-Farber runners have collectively raised more than $8 million since the inception of the race in 2003. Ahead of this year’s event, 640 Team Dana-Farber athletes have already raised $375,000.
The organizers of the 2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon, are pleased to revealed that the event will not be accepting any more registration. It has been SOLD OUT.
Elite fields for the 2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon
Women’s Field
| POS. | NAME | COUNTRY | PERSONAL BEST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fancy Chemutai | Kenya | 1:04:54 |
| 2 | Senbere Teferi | Ethiopia | 1:05:32 |
| 3 | Rosemary Wanjiru | Kenya | 1:05:34 |
| 4 | Bosena Mulatie | Ethiopia | 1:05:46 |
| 5 | Tsigie Gebreselama | Ethiopia | 1:05:46 |
| 6 | Cynthia Limo | Kenya | 1:06:04 |
| 7 | Keira D’Amato | USA | 1:06:39 NR |
| 8 | Mestawut Fikir | Ethiopia | 1:06:44 |
| 9 | Viola Chepngeno | Kenya | 1:06:48 |
| 10 | Buze Diriba | Ethiopia | 1:06:50 |
| 11 | Fiona O’Keeffe | USA | 1:07:42 |
| 12 | Beyenu Degefa | Ethiopia | 1:08:15 |
| 13 | Medhin Beyene | Ethiopia | 1:08:27 |
| 14 | Anna Dibaba | Ethiopia | 1:09:22 |
| 15 | Natosha Rogers | USA | 1:09:36 |
| 16 | Lindsay Flanagan | USA | 1:09:37 |
| 17 | Fantaye Belayneh | Ethiopia | 1:09:49 |
| 18 | Makena Morley | USA | 1:09:57 |
| 19 | Carrie Verdon | USA | 1:10:11 |
| 20 | Laura Thweatt | USA | 1:10:12 |
| 21 | Fotyen Tesfaye | Ethiopia | 1:10:26 |
| 22 | Susanna Sullivan | USA | 1:10:50 |
| 23 | Jackie Gaughan | USA | 1:11:31 |
| 24 | Rachel Schneider Smith | USA | 1:15:38 |
| 25 | Thalia Valdivia | Peru | 1:15:15 |
| 26 | Allie Hackett | USA | 1:16:04 |
| 27 | Mercy Chelangat | Kenya | Debut |
| 28 | Courtney Hawkins | USA | Debut |
Men’s Field
| POS. | NAME | COUNTRY | PERSONAL BEST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abel Kipchumba | Kenya | 58:07 |
| 2 | Shadrack Kimining | Kenya | 59:27 |
| 3 | Geoffrey Koech | Kenya | 59:36 |
| 4 | Mohamed El Aaraby | Morocco | 59:54 |
| 5 | Raymond Magut | Kenya | 1:00:00 |
| 6 | Amanuel Mesel | Eritrea | 1:00:10 |
| 7 | Juan Luis Barrios | Mexico | 1:00:46 |
| 8 | Tsegay Tuemay | Eritrea | 1:00:50 |
| 9 | Pat Tiernan | Australia | 1:00:55 |
| 10 | Kiros Ashenafi | Ethiopia | 1:00:39 |
| 11 | James Ngandu | Kenya | 1:01:28 |
| 12 | Segundo Jami | Ecuador | 1:02:28 |
| 13 | Matias Silva | Chile | 1:02:36 |
| 14 | Tristan Woodfine | Canada | 1:02:43 |
| 15 | Yemane Haileselassie | Eritrea | 1:03:01 |
| 16 | Nadir Yusuf | USA | 1:03:23 |
| 17 | Kevin Koski | USA | 1:03:35 |
| 18 | Ryan Cutter | USA | 1:03:54 |
| 19 | Pardon Nhdlovu | USA | 1:04;05 |
| 20 | Ian Butler | USA | 1:04:20 |
| 21 | Erik Linden | USA | 1:06:02 |
| 22 | Tai Smith | USA | 1:04:41 |
| 23 | Ryan Johnson | USA | Debut |
For more information, please visit the: Boston Athletic Association
