California International Marathon Elite Field Preview

The California International Marathon (CIM) on December 3 in Sacramento is set to be an electrifying event, showcasing a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents in the world of marathon running.

In the men's race, all eyes will be on the 2021 champion, Brendan Gregg, a local hero with deep roots in the area, having attended Davis Senior High School and Stanford University. Gregg's remarkable performance two years ago, where he seized the lead early and maintained it for most of the race, earned him the third fastest time ever on the course, clocking in at 2:11:21. Gregg's anticipation for the race is high, as he relishes the opportunity to compete in such a deep and diverse field in his hometown.

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Facing Gregg is the formidable CJ Albertson from Fresno, known for his bold, front-running approach. Albertson, who placed eighth in 2021, has shown impressive form in Boston, including a 2:10:23 finish on the challenging course. His best performance in Sacramento was a second-place finish in 2019.

Other notable contenders include Amanuel Mesel with a personal best of 2:08:17, Kenyan runner Milton Rotich (2:08:55), and Noah Droddy of Boulder, CO (2:09:09). Additionally, 2018 CIM champion Brogan Austin is set to compete, adding further depth to an already strong field.

On the women's side, Allie Kieffer enters the fray with the fastest personal best of 2:28:12. This race marks her first CIM appearance and her first marathon since her impressive performance in New York in 2018. Kieffer is eager for the opportunity, viewing CIM as an ideal setting for achieving the Olympic Trials Qualifying (OTQ) mark.

Kieffer's competition includes CIM alum Samantha Roecker, who made a significant impact in 2018 by finishing third and cutting nearly eight minutes off her previous best. The field also features Grace Kahura-Maling from Kenya (2:30:14), 2019 CIM runner-up Obsie Birru (2:30:25), and Chico State alum Alia Gray (2:30:41).

Local interest will be high for Kaitlin Gregg Goodman, Brendan Gregg's sister, who has an impressive running background from her time at Davis Senior High School and UC Davis.

CIM is not just a battleground for established athletes; it's also a platform for newcomers. Emma Bates and Sara Vaughn, both first-time marathoners, have previously clinched victories here, setting impressive course records.

The stakes are high, with a combined prize purse of $60,000 and additional bonuses for athletes who surpass the USATF Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying marks. The men's record set by Jerry Lawson in 1993 and the women's record set last year by Paige Stoner are the benchmarks for this year's competitors. CIM 2023 promises to be a thrilling display of endurance, strategy, and raw talent in the marathon world.

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