Patrick HallLocal runner Patrick Hall's fifth marathon was his third world major, and he was the third finishing American in the 2013 Berlin Marathon on Sept. 29.
His time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, 57 seconds was 108th overall in a race that had more than 40,000 entrants.
"I'm not sure how many finished. It was around 30,000, I think," Hall said Wednesday.
The international major marathons are in Boston, Chicago, New York, London and Tokyo in addition to Berlin, which has the distinction of being the fastest course of the group. Wilson Kipsang set the world record for a 26.2-mile race with his 2:03:28 in this year's event in the German city, beating the previous standard set by fellow Kenyan Makau at the 2011 Berlin Marathon.
This was the sixth time the world marathon record was set at Berlin since 1998. It also has had two women's records in that time. Hall's time wasn't a personal best, but it was close. He ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:35:34 in 2010.
"I didn't think I was going to be running that fast, so I was pleasantly surprised to be only 20-something seconds slower than my best time ever," Hall said. "It was definitely a rough last 10 kilometers -- I was hurting a bit -- but adrenaline carried me through. There was a crowd [of specators], and they were so supportive."
The former Chattanooga Christian and Covenant College standout is now 29 and has been working for TVA for two years, and he has been a consistent winner or contender locally at distances of 5k and above.
He had visited Germany before and enjoyed getting another chance. His best friend, Chattanooga native Joshua Maughon -- now living in Washington, D.C. -- and Maughon's wife were taking a trip there, and Maughon signed himself and Hall up for the race.
"It was great to be back," Hall said.
Contact Ron Bush at rbush@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6291.