ALLENDALE, MICHIGAN – Former Grand Valley State runner, Zach Panning recently qualified to represent the United States this summer (August 27^th) at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. 
 
In order to be selected, one must have a qualifying time (2:09.40) or a world ranking position high enough to be chosen. In addition, only three individuals per country can be selected to compete in the World Championships. 
 
Panning was selected to compete in the marathon for the U.S after ranking fourth on the descending order list of marathon performances with a qualifying time of 2:09.28, making him the first Grand Valley State male track and field athlete to represent the U.S on the world stage. 
 
Panning previously finished 11^th overall (second American) at the 2022 Chicago Marathon where he recorded a time of 2:09.28, ranking him as the 14^th fastest American All-Time. In 2021, Panning finished his first marathon, the Chicago Marathon in 11^th overall. Recently, he set a new personal-best time in the 10,000m with a time of 27:51. 
 
At Grand Valley State, Panning earned three individual National Championship titles. During the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships, Panning claimed two individual titles in the 5,000m (14:10.58) and 10,000m (30:12.30) becoming the fifth athlete in Division II history to win both events during the same meet. At 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships, Panning earned his first individual title in the men's 5,000m with a time of 14:00.69.