Chicago is supposed to be pancake flat, but even with the finest weather conditions I don't see her breaking 2:30. Here are the 2017 woman who did break 2:30. Jordan Hasay in number 3 is the only American in that group. I doubt that Gwen will be anywhere near her.
These BIG World Majors Marathons are all set up with pacers for the front group. If you are NOT able to make that front group, then you are often running on your own, unless, the race organizers set up secondary pacers to pace these sorts of groups - this does happen, but it's rarer. Don't know if this will be the case at Chicago
This is where Gwen may find herself, based on performances to date, if she's running reasonably, and within her means, for a first really serious crack at the marathon. As for times - I would agree with others who have said around or just under 2:30. Chicago is a flat and fast course. I'd love to be proven wrong - just being realistic based on performances going in.
She's got a steep and quick learning curve to work with as she'll really only have this one marathon this fall (Chicago), then maybe one other one next year sometime (Spring, realistically), and then the Olympic Games Marathon Trials (winter 2020).
As for the Olympic Marathon aspirations, Gwen jumped in, just as the U.S. women's marathon rankings, probably doubled in depth of that top-10 or so women in a very short period of time, who all have a shot at those three coveted spots. Of course, it will all come down to one race at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Feb 29, 2020 - https://www.teamusa.org/...Team-Trials-Marathon
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
These BIG World Majors Marathons are all set up with pacers for the front group. If you are NOT able to make that front group, then you are often running on your own, unless, the race organizers set up secondary pacers to pace these sorts of groups - this does happen, but it's rarer. Don't know if this will be the case at Chicago
This is where Gwen may find herself, based on performances to date, if she's running reasonably, and within her means, for a first really serious crack at the marathon. As for times - I would agree with others who have said around or just under 2:30. Chicago is a flat and fast course. I'd love to be proven wrong - just being realistic based on performances going in.
She's got a steep and quick learning curve to work with as she'll really only have this one marathon this fall (Chicago), then maybe one other one next year sometime (Spring, realistically), and then the Olympic Games Marathon Trials (winter 2020).
As for the Olympic Marathon aspirations, Gwen jumped in, just as the U.S. women's marathon rankings, probably doubled in depth of that top-10 or so women in a very short period of time, who all have a shot at those three coveted spots. Of course, it will all come down to one race at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Feb 29, 2020 - https://www.teamusa.org/...Team-Trials-Marathon
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog