Noel looks to defend title in Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

By AP
Published

SAN DIEGO (AP) Eric Noel of San Luis Obispo will try to defend his title in the 20th running of the Rock `n' Roll Marathon on Sunday while Meb Keflezighi will pace the 90-minute half-marathon group.

Noel won last year in 2 hours, 26 minutes, 5 seconds. His personal best is 2:21:05. He'll be challenged by Jeffery Eggleston, whose PR is 2:10:52. Eggleston won the Lima Marathon two weeks ago in 2:15:02.

Keflezighi, the only runner to win the Boston Marathon, New York Marathon and an Olympic marathon medal, returns to pace the 90-minute half-marathon group.

Also returning is 94-year-old Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, North Carolina. Two years ago she became the oldest woman to finish a marathon at the age of 92. On Sunday, she's looking to become the oldest woman to finish a half-marathon.