The GO! St. Louis Half Marathon, now in its 11th year, is known as a fun and rewarding hometown race that runs along our downtown streets and parks. But it also has grown to attract a deep field of American and International stars, who will race for $17,000 in total prize money. This year’s race on Sunday, April 6, will offer a top prize of $5,000 for both the men’s and women’s winner.

Last year’s runner-up, Jordan Chipangama, headlines the men’s field. Chipangama will be looking to finally get a win in St. Louis after finishing second at the 2013 GO! St. Louis Halloween 10k. The top entrant with local ties is former Edwardsville High School star Stephen Pifer, who is coming off a top 10 finish at the U.S. 15k Championships in Jacksonville on March 15.

Other contenders include Jacob Chemtai and Julius Koskei from Kenya, as well as American Craig Curley, who will be racing in St. Louis as a final tune-up before the Boston Marathon on April 21.

The women’s field features one of America’s top road racers in Kellyn Johnson. Johnson has run one hour, 12 minutes and 27 seconds for the half marathon and is one of the most versatile road racers in the U.S., consistently competing in everything from the mile to the half marathon. She recently finished fourth at the USA Cross Country Championships in February.

Johnson will face a solid international field led by Kenya’s Sarah Kiptoo, who finished third in last year’s GO! St. Louis Half Marathon. Kiptoo went on to win the 2013 Grandma’s Marathon in a very fast 2 hours, 26 minutes and 31 seconds. Other contenders include Kenyans Hannah Wanjiru and Pasca Cheruiyot.

The entire 2014 elite athlete field includes: Men – Jordan Chipangama, Zambia; Craig Curley, USA; Jacob Chemtai, Kenya; Matt O’Connor, USA; Julius Koskei, Kenya; Patrick Cheptoek, Kenya; Fredison Costa, Brazil; Dan Kirwa, Kenya; and Stephen Pifer, USA. Women – Sarah Kiptoo, Kenya; Kellyn Johnson, USA; Hannah Wanjiru, Kenya; Pasca Cheruiyot, Kenya; Doreen Kitaka, Kenya; Emma Kennan, USA; Danna Herrick, USA; Marion Kandie, Kenya; and Connie Teague, USA

For more information on the GO! St. Louis Half Marathon presented by PNC Bank elite athlete program, visit here.

Image: GO! St. Louis