Sam Chelanga

Last updated
Samuel Chelanga
NCAA champion Sam Chelanga finds new purpose as Army officer (3) (cropped).jpg
Chelanga in 2023
Personal information
Nationality American
Born (1985-02-23) February 23, 1985 (age 38)
Baringo, Kenya
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Sport
Sport Track, Track and field, long-distance running
Event(s) 5000 metres, 10,000 meters
College team Liberty University
Club Nike
Turned pro2011
Now coachingScott Simmons
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s) [1]
Half Marathon 1:00:37 (2018)
10,000 meters 27:08.39 (2012)
5000 metres 13:04.35 (2014)

Samuel Chelanga (born February 23, 1985, in Baringo County, Kenya) is a Kenyan-born American track and field athlete who competed for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, from 2008 to 2011. He holds the NCAA record for the 10,000 meters run with a time of 27:08.49 set at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational at Palo Alto, California, on May 1, 2010. [2] His brother, Joshua Chelanga, is a professional marathon runner.

Contents

Early life

Sam Chelanga was born in Kabarsel village, Baringo County, Kenya, and was the 10th of 11 children. [3]

Running career

Collegiate

Originally hailing from Baringo County, Kenya, Chelanga moved to the United States on a sports scholarship. He attended Liberty University, with whom he won the 2009 NCAA Men's Cross Country Championship in Terre Haute, Indiana, and set a course record in 28:41.3. [4] He won a third consecutive title at the Big South Conference cross country championships in October, leading the race by a margin of over half a minute. [5] In 2010, he defended his title by winning the NCAA cross country championship, becoming only the 11th man in NCAA history to win at least two such titles. [6] He ended his time at Liberty University with fourteen All-American distance honours. [7]

YearMeetVenueTimePlace
2011 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Drake Stadium - Des Moines, IA13:29.301st
2011 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Drake Stadium - Des Moines, IA28:12.182nd
2011 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Texas A&M-Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium - College Station13:27.342nd
2011 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Texas A&M-Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium - College Station8:11.1515th
2011 Big South Conference Indoor ChampionshipsClemson-Indoor Track Facility - Clemson, SC4:16.881st
2010 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course - Terre Haute, IN29:22.11st
2010 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Drake Stadium - Des Moines, IA13:45.352nd
2010 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Drake Stadium - Des Moines, IA28:37.401st
2010 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Arkansas-Randall Tyson Track - Fayetteville, AR13:37.012nd
2010 Big South Conference Indoor ChampionshipsClemson-Indoor Track Facility - Clemson, SC4:13.751st
2010 Big South Conference Indoor ChampionshipsClemson-Indoor Track Facility - Clemson, SC8:14.071st
2009 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course - Terre Haute, IN 28:41.31st CR
2009 Big South Conference Outdoor ChampionshipsRadford Patrick D. Cupp Track - Radford, VA14:01.891st
2009 Big South Conference Outdoor ChampionshipsRadford Patrick D. Cupp Track - Radford, VA3:49.691st

[8]

Professional

Chelanga signed a contract with Nike and made his professional race debut at the B.A.A. 10K in Boston in June 2011 under Jerry Schumacher and managed to take fourth place. [9]

In November 2013, he won the 77th Manchester Road Race (4.748 miles), an annual race held on Thanksgiving Day in Manchester, Connecticut, in a time of 21 minutes, 31 seconds. [10] Sam ran a 13:04.35 at Boston University's BU Multi-Team Meet, coming in second. He came in second behind his old college rival Galen Rupp who won in 13:01.26 – a new American indoor 5k record.

From 2013 - January 2015, Sam trained with Dartmouth College alumnus Ben True in Hanover, New Hampshire.

In January 2015, Sam joined coach James Li in Tucson, Arizona. [11] [12] [13]

At the 2016 US Olympic Trials, Chelanga finished the 10,000 meters in sixth place, a minute behind winner Galen Rupp. But he was the third fastest in the race to hold a sub-28:00.00 qualifying time.

2014 Annual Bests

EventResultVenueDate
Mile4:02.90Falmouth (USA)16.08.2014
3000m ind.7:45.21Boston (USA)08.02.2014
5000m13:16.24Berlin (GER)31.08.2014
5000m ind.13:04.35Boston (USA)16.01.2014
10,000m27:59.74Eugene (USA)30.05.2014
8 km Road22:45Kingsport (USA)12.07.2014
10 km Road28:11Boston (USA)22.06.2014
Half Marathon1:02:59Philadelphia (USA)20.09.2014

Seasonal best

10k
DateTimePlace
1 May 201627:54.57Palo Alto, CA
30 MAY 201427:59.74Eugene, OR
12 DEC 201327:46.06Melbourne (Albert Park)
29 APR201227:29.82Palo Alto, CA
10 JUN 201128:12.18Des Moines, IA
01 MAY 201027:08.39Palo Alto, CA
24 APR 200927:28.48Berkeley, CA
04 MAY 200828:15.99Palo Alto, CA

2015

Carlsbad 5000 Results:
1. @LawiLalang1 13:32
2. Wilson Too 13:35
3. @Lagat1500 13:40
4. @SamChelanga 13:50

Wharf to Wharf Santa Cruz to Capitola 6 mile results:
1. Sam Chelanga 27:24.48 [14] [15] [16]
2. Shadrack Kosgei 27:27
3. John Muritu Watiku 27:28

43rd New Balance Falmouth Road Race
August 16
Sam finished 4th place 32:21 only 4 seconds behind the winner Stephen Sambu. [17]

USA 5 km Championships CVS/pharmacy Downtown 5k Providence, Rhode Island [18]
September 20,
1. David Torrence 13:56.0
2. Dan Huling 13:59.0
3. Dathan Ritzenhein 14:03.0
4. Sam Chelanga 14:07.0

USA 10 mile championship on October 4
1. Sam Chelanga 46:47
2. Tyler Pennel
3. Dathan Ritzenhein

2016

Sam placed third in 2016 New York Half Marathon in 1:01:43 on 20.03.2016. [19]

Sam placed first in Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington DC. Sam ran 10 Miles Road in 48:26 on 03.04.2016. [20] The first 🇺🇸a male win at @CUCB since Greg Meyer in 1983! [21]

Sam Chelanga placed fifth in 2016 Payton Jordan Invitational 10,000m in 27:54.57 at Stanford University on 01.05.2016. [22]

Chelanga qualified for the 2016 US Olympic Trials (track and field) at 2016 Hoka One One Mid Distance Classic May 20 hosted by Occidental College by running 5000 metres in 13:27.53. [23]

Chelanga placed sixth in the 10,000 m in 28:56.12 and 22nd in 5000 meters in 13:59.52 at 2016 United States Olympic Trials (track and field). [24]

Chelanga placed second in 59:16 at USATF 20 km Championships at Faxon Law New Haven Road Race. [25] [26]

2017

Chelanga took home fourth place in 30:22.2 at 10 km at 2017 USATF cross country championships on February 4, 2017. [27]

Chelanga placed first at NACAC 10 km road race on February 26, 2017. [28] [29] [30]

Chelange placed first at World best 10 km Road in February in San Juan, Puerto Rico in a time of 28:19. [31]

Chelanga placed third in 15 km Road in March in Jacksonville, Florida, in a time of 43:28. [32]

In May Chelanga served as a pacer for Nike's Breaking2 attempt at achieving a sub-2-hour marathon time.

Chelanga placed ninth in 10,000m at 2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June in Sacramento in a time of 29:08.29. [33]

Chelanga placed third in 10 km road in July at Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race in a time of 28:25 and first at Quad-City Times Bix 7 in a time of 32:53.

Chelanga placed third in September at Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20 km in a time of 59:16.

Chelanga placed 15th in October at 2017 Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:15:02.

2018

Chelanga placed seventh at 2018 Aramco Half Marathon in 1:00:37. [34] Chelanga ran the sixth fastest American time all-time for the half marathon behind Ryan Hall (59:43 14 Jan 2007 in Houston Texas), Leonard Korir (59:52 19 Nov 2017 in New Delhi India), Dathan Ritzenhein (60:00 1 Oct 2009 in Birmingham England), Abdihakem Abdirahman (60:29 05 Aug 2007 in New York NY), and Galen Rupp (60:29 20 Mar 2011 in New York NY).

Personal bests

SurfaceEventTimeDatePlace
Outdoor track5000 m13:09.67June 2, 2012Eugene, OR
10,000 m27:08.49May 1, 2010Palo Alto, CA
Indoor track3000 m7:45.21February 8, 2014Boston (Roxbury), MA
5000 m13:04.35January 16, 2014Boston (Boston Univ.), MA
Road10 km28:11June 23, 2014Boston, MA
Half marathon1:00:37January 14, 2018Houston, Texas

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dathan Ritzenhein</span> American long-distance runner

Dathan James Ritzenhein is a retired American long-distance runner, and current head coach of the On Athletics Club (OAC). He held the American record in the 5,000 metres (12:56.27) from 2009 to 2010, until it was broken by Bernard Lagat. He is a three-time national cross country champion with wins at the USA Cross Country Championships in 2005, 2008 and 2010. Formerly a Nike athlete for the majority of his professional career, Dathan joined the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project team in 2017. In early May 2020, he announced his retirement from competition. He signed with the Swiss shoe brand On shortly thereafter in June 2020 and currently acts as the coach for the OAC in Boulder, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Hall (runner)</span> American long-distance runner

Ryan Hall is a retired American long-distance runner who holds the U.S. record in the half marathon. With his half marathon record time (59:43), he became the first U.S. runner to break the one-hour barrier in the event. He is also the only American to run a sub-2:05 marathon. However, this time is not eligible to be a record due to the course being point-to-point and a net-downhill course. Hall won the marathon at the 2008 United States Olympic trials and placed tenth in the Olympic marathon in Beijing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galen Rupp</span> American long-distance runner

Galen Rupp is an American long-distance runner. He competed in the Summer Olympics in 2008 in Beijing, 2012 in London, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and 2021 in Tokyo. He won the silver medal in the men's 10,000 meters in London and the bronze medal in the men's marathon in Rio de Janeiro. Rupp competed for the University of Oregon and trained under Alberto Salazar as a member of the Nike Oregon Project. He won the 2017 Chicago Marathon, becoming the first American to do so since Khalid Khannouchi in 2002. Rupp won the marathon at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials in Atlanta with a time of 2:09:20, and qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, where he finished eighth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shalane Flanagan</span> American long-distance runner

Shalane Grace Flanagan is an American long-distance runner, Olympic medalist and New York City Marathon champion. She was the first American woman to win the New York City Marathon since 1977. She holds the NACAC area records in both the 10k and 15k road races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Tegenkamp</span>

Matthew "Teg" Tegenkamp is a retired professional runner from Lee's Summit, Missouri who specialized in various long-distance events. Tegenkamp represented the United States at two Summer Olympics, in 2008 and 2012. He trained with other members of the KIMbia Athletics group and was sponsored by Nike during his professional career. Tegenkamp set an American record in the outdoor two mile[PRs] and also achieved other performances that were near record breaking during his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Sell</span> American long-distance runner

Brian Sell is a retired American long-distance runner who specialized in various long-distance track events before specializing as a marathoner in his professional career with Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. Sell represented the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the men's marathon. He attended Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, where he ran on the Saint Francis University cross country team.

Chris Derrick is an American distance runner who won 3 consecutive US Cross Country Championships in 2013–15. He attended Stanford University, where he earned 14 All-American honors and holds an American junior record in the 5000 meters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 United States Olympic trials (track and field)</span> International athletics championship event

The 2004 United States Olympic trials for track and field were held at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California. Organised by USA Track and Field, the ten-day competition lasted from July 9 until July 18 and served as the national championships in track and field for the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diego Estrada (runner)</span> Mexican-American long-distance runner

Juan Diego Estrada Constantino is a Mexican-American long-distance runner. He competed in the 10,000 metres at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London for Mexico. After some confusion about his eligibility after becoming a U.S. citizen, he was excluded from the U.S. Olympic trials even though it was later known that Estrada was misinformed on his eligibility possibilities. Estrada resides in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Jorge Torres is an American long-distance and cross-country runner. He is a three-time runner-up at the U.S. Cross-Country Championships, a 2002 NCAA Cross Country Champion, and a 2006 U.S. Outdoor Champion for the 10,000 meters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben True</span> American runner

Benjamin True is an American track and field and cross-country athlete, who competed for Dartmouth College and currently trains in Hanover, New Hampshire, while competing for Saucony and In the Arena. True was the top American at both the 2011 and 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, as well as the 2011 USATF Road Running Circuit Champion, winning the 5 km and 10 km Road Championships along the way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grant Fisher</span> Canadian-born American distance runner

Grant Fisher is a Canadian-born American professional middle- and long-distance runner. He holds the American national records for the 5,000 (12:46.96) and 10,000 meters (26:33.84), both set in a 2022 breakthrough season outdoors, and the 3,000 meters (7:25.47) after a remarkable post-injury return late in the 2023 outdoor season. He placed fifth in the 10,000 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and fourth at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. Fisher holds North American records in the 3000 meters, 5000 m and 10,000 m.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Ward</span> American long-distance runner

Jared Ward is an American long distance runner. He qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics when he placed third in the marathon at the 2016 US Olympic Trials. He finished sixth at the 2016 Olympics.

Erin Finn is a female long-distance runner from the United States. She competed in the 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championships – Junior women's race placing 34th in 20:03.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natosha Rogers</span> American long-distance runner

Natosha Rogers is a long-distance runner from the United States. Rogers won the gold medal in the 5000 meters at the 2022 NACAC Championships. She is the 2012 National runner up in the 10,000 meters. Rogers placed 23rd at 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 34:47.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molly Seidel</span> American long-distance runner

Molly Seidel is an American long distance runner. Seidel represented the United States at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country in 2012, 2013, and 2018. In her first-ever marathon, Seidel placed second at the 2020 U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials. Later, she went on to win the bronze medal in her third career marathon at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. At the University of Notre Dame, Seidel was a 4-time NCAA champion, 6-time NCAA All-American, 6-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion and 2016 female ACC Athlete of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephanie Bruce</span> American long-distance runner

Stephanie Bruce is an American long-distance runner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allie Kieffer</span> American long-distance runner

Allison Kieffer is an American athlete who competes in distance running events. Kieffer placed 5th in 2:29:39 at the 2017 New York City Marathon. She placed 7th at the 2018 New York City Marathon with a time of 2:28:12. Kieffer is a coach and nutritionist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Pagano</span> American long-distance runner

Sarah Pagano is an American long-distance runner. She is referred to as "Spags" by friends and teammates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Klecker</span> American distance runner

Joe Klecker is an American distance runner. He finished 2nd in the NCAA DI XC Championships in 2019 and turned pro with On Running, coached by Dathan Ritzenhein in 2020. Klecker holds PRs of 3:37.55 for 1500m, 7:39.18 for 3000m, 12:54.99 for 5000m, and 27:07.57 for 10000m, all of which were set in his Professional Career.

References

  1. All-Athletics. "Profile of Samuel Chelanga".
  2. USTFCCCA Collegiate Track and Field Records Archived 2018-06-17 at the Wayback Machine , U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, (updated May 24, 2018). Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  3. "The Accidental Runner: Sam Chelanga's Amazing Journey From Poverty In Rural Kenya To American Citizen And US Olympic Favorite - LetsRun.com". LetsRun.com. 2015-08-18. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  4. "Chelanga Outruns Doubts to Win NCAA Title", RunningTimes.com. 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  5. Ramsak, Bob (2010-11-01). Hasay cruises to Pac-10 title, Chelanga dominates in Blacksburg - NCAA Conference champs round-up. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-12-08.
  6. Lee, Kirby (2010-11-23). Chelanga and Reid Prevail at NCAA Cross Country Championships. IAAF Retrieved on 2010-11-27.
  7. "Chelanga Clicking Off Fast Times | Liberty Flames". www.liberty.edu. Archived from the original on 2014-09-11.
  8. "DirectAthletics". www.directathletics.com. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  9. Chelanga Places 4th in BAA 10K. Liberty Flames (2011-06-26). Retrieved on 2011-07-02.
  10. 2013 Manchester Road Race
  11. "Chelanga To Train With Lagat In Tucson - Flotrack". www.flotrack.org. Archived from the original on 2015-01-19.
  12. "Sam Chelanga on Twitter: "After Carlsbad 5000 with @Lagat1500 @bennysaint &@halagat. Thanks to God for the good times! http://t.co/GhJdhvB7O4"". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-06-24.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  13. Tim Riley [@timrileyphd] (March 5, 2015). "@Lagat1500 @LawiLalang1 @Abdi_runs @SamChelanga putting in some work this perfect evening in Tucson" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  14. "Breaking News from your Local News Source Leader in Watsonville, California | Register-Pajaronian". www.register-pajaronian.com. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  15. "Sam Chelanga wins Wharf to Wharf; Gotcher top American" . Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  16. "Sam Chelanga wins Wharf to Wharf; Gotcher top American | Santa Cruz". santacruzupdate.com. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  17. "Stephen Sambu (32:17) & Diane Nukuri (36:47) Streak to Titles at 43rd Falmouth Road Race - LetsRun.com". LetsRun.com. 2015-08-16. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  18. "2015 USATF 5 km Championships - Official Website - info/results - 09/20/15". RunnerSpace.com. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  19. United Airlines NYC Half Marathon Results in New York City, NY Sunday, March 20, 2016
  20. "Credit Union Cherry Blossom Race Results". www.cherryblossom.org. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  21. "RunnerSpace.com on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  22. "Fast Times at Payton Jordan - Stanford University". Stanford University. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  23. "usatf.org 2016 Hoka One One Middle Distance Classic" . Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  24. 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field Results - 6/30/2016 to 7/10/2016 Eugene, Oregon USATF. Retrieved by September 5, 2016.
  25. 2016 Results - USATF 20 km Championships Published by USATF 20 km Championships - Official Website USATF. Retrieved by September 5, 2016.
  26. Landry Seeks to Extend USATF Running Circuit Lead at USATF 20 km Championships 9/2/2016 NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT USATF. Retrieved by September 5, 2016.
  27. 2017 USATF National XC Championships Senior Men 10K Results February 4, 2017, River's Edge Golf Course, Bend, OR USATF. February 4, 2017
  28. USA – Korir, Tuliamuk victorious at USATF Cross Country Championships athleticsnacac.org. February 5, 2017.
  29. Olympians Top Canadian Contingent At NACAC 10K Road Race Cup February 27, 2017.
  30. Olympians top Canadian contingent at NACAC 10K Road Race Cup runningmagazine.ca/ - February 26th, 2017 by Tim Huebsch.
  31. PUR Wacera Secures Hat-Trick At World’s Best 10k In San Juan NACAC. Retrieved by February 27, 2017
  32. Association of Road Racing Statisticians Runner profile Samuel Chelanga Association of Road Racing Statisticians
  33. 2017 USATF Championships Results - 6/22/2017 to 6/25/2017 Hornet Stadium, Sacramento, California USATF. Retrieved by June 23, 2017
  34. Houston Half Marathon and Marathon Live Tracking, Results and Leaderboard LetsRun.com. Retrieved by January 13, 2018
  35. IAAF Samuel Chelanga biography. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.