Sam Chelanga
Men's Marathon
Qualifying Time: 2:08:50
Qualifying Race: 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Date of Birth
02/23/85
Age on Race Day
38
Current Residence
Colorado Springs, CO
Hometown
Kabarsel, Kenya
High School
Bartolimo Boys High School
Current Affiliation
World Class Army Program
Profession
U.S Army
Marathon PB
2:08.50
First Trials qualification
No
Previous Trials
2016, 2020
Number of attempts to qualify
2
College(s)
Liberty University
Career Highlights
7-time USATF Champion; 2023 Pan Am Games Silver Medalist, 10,000m; 11th, 2017 World Cross Country Championships; 4-time NCAA Champion (5,000m, 10,000m, Cross Country); NCAA 10,000m Record-holder (27:08)
Family
Wife is Marybeth, an OTQ qualifier with half marathon time of 1:10:55.They have three children: Micah (10), Joe (6) and Jeremiah (5)
Greatest Accomplishment
Being a dad
Interesting Story
I retired in 2018 to join the U.S. Army and the sport found me again.
Favorite Book
The Bible
Favorite Movie
Gladiator
Favorite TV Show/Series
Ax Men
Favorite Song
Dreams: Judah & The Lion and NEEDTOBREATHE
Favorite Post-race Indulgence
Burger or pizza
Favorite Breakfast
Bagel
Favorite Motivational Quote
"It’s now or never"
Favorite Running Memory
The time I got lost in my friend Jared Ward's neighborhood at night and I was running around looking for help; I approached a car parked beside the road and it was the 2006 NCAA cross country champion Josh Rohatinsky!
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