Stephen Sambu and Alexi Pappas Looking for Third Straight Wins at Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle

By Adam Kopet, DyeStat Editor

The 38th annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8-kilometer race returns both the men's and women's winners from the past two years, as announced by NBC 5 Chicago. Stephen Sambu and Alexi Pappas highlight the April 2 race, which has developed into an attraction for elite athletes in recent years.

Sambu holds the fourth-fastest time in Shuffle history. His attempt at a hat trick will be challenged by Diego Estrada. Both men raced the 2016 Chicago Marathon. Sambu finished fifth,while Estrada rallied from an early fall to finish eighth.

Pappas will be challenged in her attempt at three straight wins by 2016 Shamrock Shuffle runner-up Kristen Heckert. Last year, Heckert set personal records at both the Shamrock Shuffle and the Chicago Marathon.

Deena Kastor, the 2004 Olympic marathon bronze medalist and American record holder for 8 kilometers, is set to race this year's edition of the Shamrock Shuffle. She last won the event in 2005.