Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars and FC Dallas to compete in second annual competition to determine the fastest five-person marathon relay team with help of Olympic Trials athletes
DALLAS (Nov. 30, 2016) - Organizers of the BMW Dallas Marathon, Half Marathon and Behringer Relay announced today that the 2016 Pro Relay Challenge will feature five professional runners from the HOKA ONE ONE elite program running alongside marathon relay participants from Dallas’ professional sports teams in a friendly competition. For the second year in a row, the BMW Dallas Marathon is the only major city marathon to feature race day competition and partnership among five professional sports franchises.
Joining the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, FC Dallas and Texas Rangers on Sunday, December 11 are five decorated runners who recently competed at the 2016 Olympic Trials and have ran competitively in NCAA collegiate championships, IAAF World Relays and multiple Olympic games. The elite runners include Leo Manzano, Colby Alexander, Kyle Merber, Stephanie Schappert, and Nicol Traynor.
Pro Relay Challenge teams will consist of one of the five HOKA ONE ONE elite runners, three employees from the same professional sports teams and one fan. Each of the professional athletes will run the first leg for their marathon relay team, beginning at the start line in downtown Dallas. Pro Relay Challenge athlete and sports team pairings will be announced Friday, December 9.
The fastest relay team in the Pro Relay Challenge will win bragging rights in North Texas as well as a $5,000 donation to their organization’s foundation, presented by Andrews Distributing. In the spirit of the BWM Dallas Marathon, Andrews Distributing has also pledged a $5,000 donation to the marathon’s official beneficiary, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
"We are honored to have a decorated group of professional runners join the Dallas Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars and FC Dallas at the BMW Dallas Marathon start line for our second year of the Pro Relay Challenge. The enthusiasm our city’s professional sports teams bring to the local community, along with a friendly competition, enhances the excitement for participants and spectators on race day,” said Paul Lambert, president of the Dallas Marathon. "We’re thankful for the continued support of our great partner Andrews Distributing as we develop the Pro Relay Challenge into an annual tradition."
The inaugural Pro Relay Challenge was held at the 2015 Dallas Marathon. USA Champion in the 3000m Ryan Hill led FC Dallas to victory at last year’s Pro Relay Challenge, with a marathon relay team finish time of 2:55:07.
For more information or to register for the five-person Behringer relay, visit BMWDallasMarathon.com.
Meet the Pro Relay Challenge Runners
Leo Manzano
The 32-year-old Manzano is a two-time Olympian (2008, 2012) and has represented the U.S. on six World Championship teams. Manzano won a silver medal in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympics, breaking a 44-year medal drought for U.S. men’s middle distance running and has a personal record of 3:30:98 in the 1500m, set at Monaco in 2014. This is Manzano’s second year participating in the Dallas Marathon’s Pro Relay Challenge.
Colby Alexander
Alexander, 25, attended the University of Oregon and recently competed in the 1500m Final at the 2016 Olympic Trials. Alexander was a member of the winning 2015 NCAA distance medley relay (DMR) team and is the 1500m Track Town Summer Series champion, where he set a personal best of 3:34.88.
Kyle Merber
Merber, 26, broke the American Collegiate record in the 1500m (3:35.59) while attending the University of Texas. He recently competed in the 2016 Olympic Trials 1500m Final and holds a personal best of 3:34.54.
Stephanie Schappert
Schappert, 23, is an Olympic Trials Qualifier and Semi-Finalist in the women’s 1500m. She competed at the 2015 World University Games, placing fourth in the 1500m, and is a four-time NCAA All-American runner. She owns a PR of 4:09.51 in the 1500m.
Nicol Traynor
Traynor, 27, competed in the 2016 Olympic Trials in the Steeplechase and has a PR of 9:42 in the 3000m Steeplechase. She previously placed 5th in the distance at the 2013 USATF Championships and also has a 15:35 PR in the 5000m.
About the BMW Dallas Marathon
The Dallas Marathon is a nonprofit organization with a focus on promoting health and physical fitness through running events and related activities. Dating back to 1971, the organization hosts year-round events culminating with Dallas’ largest and Texas’ oldest running marathon: the BMW Dallas Marathon. Now in its 46th running, the marquee race attracts runners from across the globe and hundreds of thousands of spectators to Dallas’ largest single-day sporting event. The BMW Dallas Marathon racecourse highlights iconic Dallas landmarks and is recognized as the official marathon of the city of Dallas. Since naming a primary beneficiary in 1997, the Dallas Marathon has donated more than $3.8 million to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. For more information, visit DallasMarathon.com.
Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
