Scaroni scales the heights at last

Susannah Scaroni recorded her first Abbott World Marathon Majors victory at the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

The American added to her second place in Berlin and third in London in this fall season to finally reach the top of the podium in the Windy City.

It caps a remarkable comeback for the 31-year-old graduate from the University of Illinois wheelchair program, who faced an uncertain future just over a year ago when she was hit by a car as she made her way to training in Champaign.

“It truly gave me new perspective,” said Scaroni, who dominated the race in Chicago, winning by almost four minutes ahead of nine-time champion Tatyana McFadden.

“I loved pushing hard and going as fast as I could, but now I am so happy to be alive. Everything is a celebration and an opportunity and that has translated into my career.”

It looked for a long time as though Scaroni would stand a chance of breaking the course record, but she was unable to keep her early speed up as she battled into the breeze in the second part of the race, clocking 1:45:48. Jenna Fesemeyer completed an American top three.

There were no such problems for men’s winner Marcel Hug, who has now strung three AbbottWMM victories together in as many weekends to all but cement the Series XIV title.

Hug established a lead in the early stages of the race and, in stark contrast to his tight battle with Daniel Romanchuk last week in London, was never troubled by anything other than the clock.

Eventually, he finished in a new course record of 1:25:20, some seven minutes and 51 seconds ahead of Romanchuk in second. Aaron Pike was third as he narrowly missed out in a sprint against Romanchuk by two seconds.