The Publix Atlanta Marathon weekend had drawn big-time attention from USA citizen elite runners. The top three men and women will earn a team USA kit and a berth in the World Athletics Road Racing Championships in San Diego, Sept 26-28.
It’s the biggest deal in Atlanta since the USA Olympic Marathon Trials were held on the Atlanta streets in 2020, the day before the regular folks (like us) ran the Publix Atlanta Marathon the following day. We covered the first ever World Athletics Road Race Championships in 2023, in Riga, Latvia.
The half marathon and marathon on Sunday will not be the same courses as 2020, but have many similarities. The field for the half-marathon is extremely deep with American elites. The weather will be good, the Atlanta terrain is hilly, and we are looking forward to great photos of epic racing.
Weini Kelati and Dakotah PopehnWeini Kelati is the American record holder at the half-marathon distance with her 1:06:09 finish in Houston 2025. Dakotah Popehn of Minnesota was training in North Carolina in prep for upcoming distance races. Joe Klecker, Reed Fischer, and Andrew Colley at the 2025 USATF Half-Marathon Championships press conference Andrew Colley of Zap Fitness brings a 1:00:47 personal best to the race. Emma Grace Hurley was the USATF running circuit champion. She was on Team USA for World XC in Belgrade 2024.Ryann Helmers of Alpharetta, GA was top GA finisher in the Peachtree 10k. Cameron Bensley of Cartersville, GA is a schoolteacher with a 1:06:54 best. Dakotah Popehn, USA Olympian gets ready for the USATF half-marathon championships as well as the 2025 Boston Marathon. Dakotah Popehn and Emma Grace Hurley are ready to rock at the USATF Half-Marathon Championships on March 2. Carrie Tollefson served as emcee for the press conference. Dakotah Popehn of Minnesota has a 1:08:04 best, and was the USA’s top marathoner the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Clay & Karen,Great, as always!!!! Enjoy the races and covering the action. Oumped Thunder won!!!!! I think this lady kind of resembles Sinclaire Johnson in the face?Ryann Helmer Scott
Runner's Gazette 
Clay & Karen,Great, as always!!!! Enjoy the races and covering the action. Oumped Thunder won!!!!! I think this lady kind of resembles Sinclaire Johnson in the face?Ryann Helmer Scott
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