Sponsor-less Runner Qualifies For U.S. Olympic Trials After Chicago Marathon Performance

Luke Puskedra finished fifth overall and "first among Americans at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon" last Sunday, but he currently does not have any sponsors, according to Kevin Helliker of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Chicago Marathon Race Dir Carey Pinkowski, who has been in the role since '90, "can’t recall another unsponsored runner finishing first among Americans." Helliker notes Sunday's was "only Puskedra's third marathon." His first race was last year’s TCS N.Y. Marathon, and he was "so devastated" by his showing there "that he decided to retire from running." Puskedra said that when Nike "soon afterward declined to renew his contract ... he agreed with that decision." However, after his performance in Chicago, Puskedra has earned a "spot at the U.S. Olympic trials in Los Angeles in February" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/16).