ELITE ATHLETE PROGRAM

GO! ST. LOUIS MARATHON & HALF MARATHON

Program Goal

GO! St. Louis is proud to offer the fourth-largest half marathon top prize purse ($10,000) in the United States and a total purse of more than $45,000. Our goal is to showcase the sport of distance running at its highest level and to do it in a way that promotes true competition. The elite athletes will be a vital part of the entire GO! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend®, providing all of our participants and fans a level of excitement that Saint Louisans have come to expect from a city with a long history of sporting excellence.

Follow the Elite Athlete Program on Twitter

2013 Elite Athletes

The following athletes have confirmed their participation in the Half Marathon:

ELITE MEN:

Aaron Braun, USA, 1:02:52
Josphat Boit, USA, 1:03:25
Matt Llano, USA, 1:03:26
Danny Mercado, USA, 1:04:02
Craig Curley, USA, 1:04:13
Daniel Kirwa, Kenya, 1:04:22
Jordan Chipangama, Zambia, Debut
Makorobondo Salukombo, Congo, 1:03:20 (20K)
Mike Aldrink, USA

ELITE WOMEN:
Maegan Krifchin, USA, 1:10:56
Tera Moody, USA, 1:12:30
Mattie Suver, USA, 1:13:14
Addie Bracy, USA, 1:14:09
Mary Akor, USA, 1:14:19
Tsehay Getiso, Ethiopia, 1:15
Sarah Kiptoo, Kenya, 1:14:36
Hirut Guangal, Ethiopia, 1:14:44
Melissa Gacek, USA, 1:18:58
Laura Kaulen, USA, 1:19:30
Valerie Hubbard, USA, 1:19:30
Sydney Messik, USA, 1:21:00

Check out the Elite Athlete Pre-Race Interviews HERE

Prize Structure — Men & Women

Half Marathon Presented by PNC Bank
Invitational 
First = $10,000
Second = $5,000
Third = $2,000

Masters (40+)  
First = $200
Second = $150 
Third = $100

* To be eligible for invitational prize money you must register through our elite athlete coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and you must be officially entered by March 27th.

Marathon
Open
First = $1,500
Second = $750 
Third = $500

Masters (40+)  
First = $200 
Second = $150
Third = $100

Marathon Course Record Bonus = $1,000
(Limited to the overall winner only)
Marathon Course Records - Men - 2:23:57, Women - 2:42:03

Entry Standards

GO! St. Louis will accept inquiries to join our elite field from athletes who have hit the following standards. Please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you wish to be a part of this year’s event. Include your personal bests from the last two years as well as any other major accomplishments during that time. Note that our elite fields for the half marathon will be very exclusive and will be decided upon by our elite athlete coordinator and the GO! St. Louis staff.

Marathon
Open Men = 2:30
Open Women = 3:00 
Masters Men = 2:40 
Masters Women = 3:15

Half Marathon
Invitational Men = 1:07
Invitational Women = 1:20
Masters Men = 1:15 
Masters Women = 1:30

Travel

GO! St. Louis offers travel and lodging expenses to elite athletes on a case-by-case basis. All inquiries should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For those who do not qualify for elite travel benefits, Drury Hotels is the Official Hotel Partner of GO! St. Louis and offer preferred participant discount rates. To reserve a room or get additional hotel info click HERE.