CHICAGO, ILL. – Former Grand Valley State runner Zach Panning placed 10th overall and second among American men in the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

Panning crossed the finish line at 2:09.16, a personal-best by 12 seconds. He finished just behind America's top male runner, CJ Albertson, who finished seventh at 2:08.17.

"It's a PR, that's always fun, but I definitely wanted a lot more," Panning remarked to LetsRundotcom. "I'm proud of it, but I'm still hungry for a whole lot more."

Panning had qualified for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials at the 2022 Chicago Marathon with a then-personal-best time of 2:09.28. He finished sixth at the trials with a time of 2:10.50, behind Albertson by less than one minute. 

Panning competed for Grand Valley State from 2015-19. As a Laker, he was a three-time national champion, 11-time All-American, USTFCCCA National Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, two-time USTFCCCA Midwest Region Track Athlete of the Year and GLIAC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.

"Looking back, Panning's time at GVSU was very similar to his now. Early on, he was having strong performance, but we all knew the best was yet to come," stated Panning's former and current Head Coach Jerry Baltes. "He simply kept working hard and committing to the process and by the end of his career, he accomplished so much. He is really close to some big-time performances, and knowing his approach to the sport and his mindset, there is no doubt in my mind that he will reach all the goals he has set for himself."