Emma Bates
{{Short description|American long-distance runner (born 1992)}}
{{about||the educator and politician from North Dakota|Emma F. Bates}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
|name = Emma Bates
|image = Emma Bates 2023 Chicago Marathon.jpg
|caption = Bates at the 2023 Chicago Marathon
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1992|07|8}}
|birth_place = Elk River, Minnesota, U.S.
|height = {{convert|5|ft|4|in|m}}
|weight =
|website =
|country = {{USA}}
|event = 5000 m, 10,000 m, cross country running, road racing
|collegeteam = Boise State Broncos
|club = Asics
|turnedpro = July 2015
|coach = Joe Bosshard
|retired =
|pb = {{ubl
|1500 m: 4:16.37 (Walnut 2015)
|3000 m: 9:08.78 {{AthAbbr|i|indoors}} (New York 2017)
|5000 m: 15:32.46 (Palo Alto 2015)
|10000 m: 32:04.59 (Irvine 2021)
|Marathon: 2:22:10 {{AthAbbr|a|assisted}} (Boston 2023)
}}
|olympics =
|worlds =
|usa =
|highestranking =
| show-medals = yes
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport | Women's athletics}}
{{Medal|Country| the {{Flagu|United States}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Marathon Majors}}
{{MedalSilver|2021 Chicago|Marathon}}
}}
Emma Bates (born July 8, 1992){{cite web |title=Emma Bates – Athlete Profile |url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/emma-bates-14453636 |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=World Athletics}} is an American long-distance runner, who competes in the marathon. Her achievements include winning the USA Marathon Championships in 2018, placing second in the 2021 Chicago Marathon, and finishing fifth in the 2023 Boston Marathon. Bates also represented the United States in the marathon at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, where she set a personal best of 2:23.18 and finished seventh. Her highest position on the World Athletics Rankings was No. 14 in the marathon in July 2022.{{Cite web |title=World Rankings for Women's Marathon |url=https://worldathletics.org/world-rankings/marathon/women?regionType=world&page=1&rankDate=2022-07-26&limitByCountry=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210201349/https://worldathletics.org/world-rankings/marathon/women?regionType=world&page=1&rankDate=2022-07-26&limitByCountry=0 |archive-date=2023-12-10 |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=worldathletics.org}}
In college, Bates competed for Boise State University, where she was a 12-time All-American. She won the 10000 metres at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships and was the runner-up in the 2013 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. Bates turned professional in June 2015 and was associated with the Boston Athletic Association until 2017. In January 2021, she signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with the sports company Asics. Bates trains with the distance group Team Boss.
Running Career
= High school and college =
Encouraged by her parents to channel her energy, Bates began running in 6th grade. She attended Elk River High School in Minnesota, graduating in 2010. During her senior year, she achieved runner-up in the state cross country championships and led her team to a state title. She also recorded personal bests of 11:08.25 for 3200 m and 5:00.13 for 1600 m. Reflecting on her high school training, Bates stated that she took a relaxed approach. In an interview, she recalled, “On easy days, my teammates and I would often not even run — we’d go to the grocery store and get donuts or something.”{{Cite web |last=Kissane |first=John |date=2013-09-10 |title=5 Minutes with Emma Bates |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/advanced/a20793473/5-minutes-with-emma-bates/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=Runner's World |language=en-US}}
Bates attended Boise State University in Idaho, where she was a 12-time All American in the NCAA. She specialized in the 10000 m, placing third in this event at the 2013 NCAA Track and Field Championship and progressing to win first place in 2014.{{Cite web |last=LetsRun.com |title=Boise State's Emma Bates Captures 2014 NCAA 10,000m Title After Great Stretch Battle With Elinor Kirk |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2014/06/boise-states-emma-bates-captures-2014-ncaa-10000m-title-great-stretch-battle-elinor-kirk/ |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en}} Her winning time of 32:32.35 in 2014 was the second fastest in the championship's history. In cross country, she was the runner-up at the 2013 NCAA Cross Country Championships, finishing behind Abbey D'Agostino. At the 2014 NCAA Cross Country Championships, she finished third.
= Professional =
== 2015 -2017 ==
After graduating from Boise State, Bates began competing professionally for the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) in July 2015 as part of the High Performance Group.{{Cite web |last=Dutch |first=Taylor |date=2015-07-27 |title=Emma Bates Joins B.A.A. High Performance Team - FloTrack |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/5043082-emma-bates-joins-baa-high-performance-team |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=www.flotrack.org |language=en}} This decision led her to relocate to Boston, Massachusetts. During this early phase of her career, Bates competed in a range of distances. Her fastest times in 2016 included a 4:22.48 in the 1500 metres and a 56:00 in the ten-mile race.{{Cite web |title=Emma Bates, Season Bests on World Athletics |url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/emma-bates-14453636 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211203112/https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/emma-bates-14453636 |archive-date=2023-12-11 |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=worldathletics.org}} Bates also finished 21st at the 2016 USA Track and Field Championships. A shift in Bates' focus occurred in 2017 as she transitioned away from the track to longer-distance events, including the half marathon. Her half marathon debut was at the Des Moines Half Marathon on October 15, 2017, which she won with a time of 1:15:10.
Bates faced challenges in her first few years a professional runner after joining the BAA. In an interview with ESPN, she stated, "I was not enjoying life in Boston, not enjoying running like I once did and did not fully believe in the training program I was a part of."{{Cite web |last=Spezia |first=Mark |date=2019-03-01 |title=U.S. marathoner Emma Bates thriving in seclusion |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/26111867/us-marathoner-emma-bates-thriving-seclusion-save-wolves-mountain-lions-bears |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} By the end of 2017, Bates decided to leave the BAA and return to Idaho. There, she established a new training group called the Idaho Distance Project.
== 2018 - 2019 ==
Bates participated in various road races within the USATF Running Circuit. These races included third place finishes at the US 20 km Road Running Championships and the US 10M Road Running Championships. The circuit operates on a points system in which athletes earn points according to their finishes; the better the finish, the more points gained. Bates's high finishes allowed her to accumulate enough points to win the 2018 USATF Running Circuit.{{Cite web |last=Bush |first=Scott |date=2018-12-02 |title=Bates Wins Race and USATF Running Circuit, Austin Earns Late Victory at the USATF Marathon Champions |url=https://usatf.org/news/2018/bates-wins-race-and-usatf-running-circuit-austin-e |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=usatf.org}}{{Cite web |last=Lorge Butler |first=Sarah |date=2019-01-08 |title=For Emma Bates, an Unconventional Path to an Amazing Year of Racing |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a25749436/emma-bates-amazing-2018/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Runner's World |language=en-US}}
Bates competed in two half marathons in 2018. Her first half marathon was at the Doha Half Marathon on January 12, where she placed fourth with a time of 1:12:52.{{Cite web |last=LetsRun.com |title=2018 Doha Half Marathon Results: Allie Kieffer Gets Dominant Win, Mo Farah Doesn't Start with Achilles Problem |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2018/01/2018-doha-half-marathon-results-allie-kieffer-gets-dominant-win-mo-farah-doesnt-start-achilles-problem/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en}} She then improved her personal best at the 2018 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships on March 24, finishing in 1:11:45 and placing 27th; she was the fastest American woman in the race.{{Cite web |last=LetsRun.com |title=Netsanet Gudeta Kebede of Ethiopia Sets Women's Only World Record of 66:11 at 2018 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2018/03/netsanet-gudeta-kebede-ethiopia-sets-womens-world-record-6611-2018-iaaf-world-half-marathon-championships/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en}}
Bates capped the year by participating in the California International Marathon on December 2. This race also served as the USA Marathon Championships. In this race, her first-ever marathon, she won with a time of 2:28:19.{{Cite web |last=Monti |first=David |date=2018-12-02 |title=Austin, Bates Win USATF Titles At 2018 California International Marathon - FloTrack |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/6276857-austin-bates-win-usatf-titles-at-2018-california-international-marathon |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=www.flotrack.org |language=en}} Her win came despite stopping multiple times to vomit in the latter half of the course.{{Cite web |last=Gault |first=Jonathan |title=Mo Farah & Jordan Hasay Speak, Emma Bates Tries Not to Throw Up, & More From 2019 Chicago Marathon Media Day |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2019/10/mo-farah-jordan-hasay-speak-emma-bates-tries-not-to-throw-up-more-from-2019-chicago-marathon-media-day/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en}} During her peak training for this event, she logged 110–115 miles per week.
In January 2019, Bates attained a professional sponsorship deal from the sportswear company Asics.{{Cite web |title=ASICS Signs Marathoners Emma Bates, Allie Kieffer To Multi-Year Deals - FloTrack |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/6329127-asics-signs-marathoners-emma-bates-allie-kieffer-to-multi-year-deals |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=www.flotrack.org |language=en}} Her first race representing Asics was at the New York City Half Marathon on March 17, 2019, where she finished fourth.{{Cite web |last=Middlebrook |first=Hailey |date=2019-03-17 |title=Belay Tilahun Surprises All With Come-from-Behind Win at NYC Half |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a26848427/nyc-half-marathon-results/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Runner's World |language=en-US}} Two months later on May 5, 2019, Bates came third in the USA Half Marathon Championships. In her second-attempt at the marathon, Bates placed fourth in the 2019 Chicago Marathon on October 13.{{Cite web |last=Gault |first=Jonathan |date=2019-10-13 |title=Brigid Kosgei Runs 2:14:04, Shatters Women's Marathon World Record at 2019 Chicago Marathon |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2019/10/brigid-kosgei-runs-21404-shatters-womens-marathon-world-record-at-2019-chicago-marathon/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en}} She was the first American to finish and recorded a mark of 2:25:27. The race featured strong competition, including a world record set by the first-place finisher, Brigid Kosgei.
== 2020 - 2021 ==
On 29 February 2020, Bates competed in the 2020 United States Olympic trials marathon in Atlanta, Georgia. She finished in seventh place, outside of the top three needed to qualify for the 2020 Summer Games. Afterward, her competition was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She returned to competition on October 28, 2020 at the Michigan Pro Half Marathon. She came in second and achieved a personal best of 1:09:44. Her last race of the year was at the Marathon Project in Chandler, Arizona, where she placed fourth in 2:25:40.
In April 2021, Bates relocated to Boulder, Colorado to join Team Boss, a training group led by coach Joe Bosshard.{{Cite web |last=LetsRun.com |title=Emma Bates Talks Chicago, Team Boss, Team USA, Divorce, & Mental Health |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2021/10/emma-bates-americas-newest-marathon-star-talks-chicago-team-boss-team-usa-divorce-and-mental-health/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en}} She competed in the 10000 m at the U.S. Olympic Trials to finish 29th in 33:21.00. On October 10, she competed in the 2021 Chicago Marathon in 2:24:20 to take second.{{Cite web |last=Kuzma |first=Cindy |last2=Canter |first2=Bette |date=2021-10-10 |title=7 American Women Finished in the Top 10 at the 2021 Chicago Marathon |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a37917342/chicago-marathon-2021-results-emma-bates-sara-hall/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Runner's World |language=en-US}} This was her first podium finish in a World Marathon Majors.
== 2022 - 2023 ==
On 18 July 2022, Bates participated in the marathon at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She placed seventh in 2:23:18, setting a personal best and finishing with one of the strongest ever American contingents (Sara Hall was fifth, Keira D'Amato was eighth).{{Cite web |last=Lorge Butler |first=Sarah |date=2022-07-18 |title=Sara Hall Leads U.S. Women to Top-10 Finishes in the World Championships Marathon |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a40643439/american-women-world-championships-marathon-2022/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Runner's World |language=en-US}} On November 6, she ran 2:26:53 in the New York City Marathon to finish eighth.{{Cite web |last=LetsRun.com |title=Sharon Lokedi SHOCKS World, Wins 2022 New York City Marathon |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/11/sharon-lokedi-wins-crazy-2022-nyc-marathon/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en}}
In 2023, Bates competed in two marathons. Her first was the Boston Marathon, where she finished fifth with a time of 2:22:10, averaging 5:27 per mile and leading for most of the race.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Robert |date=2023-04-17 |title=American Emma Bates Runs the Race of Her Life at the 2023 Boston Marathon |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2023/04/american-emma-bates-runs-the-race-of-her-life-at-the-2023-boston-marathon/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Shpigel |first=Ben |date=2023-04-17 |title=Emma Bates, the top American woman in Boston, finishes fifth. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/17/sports/emma-bates-boston-marathon.html |access-date=2023-12-08 |issn=0362-4331}} Her performance came during intermittent rain and headwinds, and it was just shy of the fastest time by an American woman on this course, narrowly missing Shalane Flanagan's record of 2:22:02. While Bates achieved a personal best in this race, her time is not considered legal for record purposes by World Athletics due to the course's net downhill elevation. On October 8, she finished 13th in the Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:25:04.{{Cite web |last=LetsRun.com |date=2023-10-08 |title=Sifan Hassan Runs 2:13:44 to Win 2023 Chicago Marathon Six Weeks After Worlds Triple |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2023/10/sifan-hassan-runs-21344-to-win-2023-chicago-marathon-six-weeks-after-worlds-triple/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en}} She reached the halfway point in 69:31 but completed the second half in 75:33 due to pain in her foot.
== 2024 ==
Bates announced on January 6 that she would not participate in the 2024 US Olympic Trials, held in February.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-07 |title=Emma Bates to miss U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/emma-bates-marathon-trials-olympic-injury |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} The announcement followed a foot-related injury sustained by Bates during her running of the 2023 Chicago Marathon the previous October. In April, she was the top American woman to finish at the Boston Marathon and finished 12th overall.{{Cite web |last=Riley |first=Neal |date=2024-04-15 |title=Top American finishers from the 2024 Boston Marathon - CBS Boston |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/top-american-finishers-2024-boston-marathon-results/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}
==2025==
At the 2025 Boston Marathon Bates finished 13th overall and was the 3rd American, finishing in 02:25:10.{{cite web |last1=Riley |first1=Neal |title=Top American finishers at the 2025 Boston Marathon |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/top-americans-boston-marathon-2025/ |website=CBS News |publisher=CBS |access-date=22 April 2025}}
Personal life
Bates is an avid backpacker and enjoys hiking in the Sawtooth Range.{{Cite web |title=Emma Bates' Forest Fire - FloTrack |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/5039445-emma-bates-forest-fire |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=www.flotrack.org |language=en}} In 2017, she moved to a remote cabin in the Boise National Forest that offered secluded trails for running.{{Cite web |last=Spezia |first=Mark |date=2019-03-01 |title=U.S. marathoner Emma Bates thriving in seclusion |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/26111867/us-marathoner-emma-bates-thriving-seclusion-save-wolves-mountain-lions-bears |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} The cabin was solar powered, with no television or cellular service. In 2023, Outside Magazine released an article about Bates' relationship with her partner. The article described how her partner helps her cope with the pressures of elite competition.{{Cite web |last=Trageser |first=Claire |date=2023-05-18 |title=Meet My Faster Half |url=https://www.outsideonline.com/running/news/meet-my-faster-half/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Outside Online |language=en-US}}
Competition record
=NCAA championships=
==Outdoor track and field==
| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}}
!colspan=6| Representing Boise State | |
| 2012 | NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
|12th |5000 m | 16:43.84 |
| rowspan=2|2013
|rowspan=2|NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |rowspan=2|Eugene, Oregon | 7th |5000 m | 15:59.35 | |
| bgcolor=cc9900|3rd
|10,000 m | 33:37.13 | |
| rowspan=2|2014
|rowspan=2|NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |rowspan=2|Eugene, Oregon | 4th |5000 m | 15:51.87 | |
| bgcolor=gold| 1st
|10,000 m | 32:32.35 | |
| rowspan=2|2015
|rowspan=2|NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |rowspan=2|Eugene, Oregon |5th |5000 m |15:56.72 | |
| 10th
|10,000 m | 33:50.14 |
==Indoor track and field==
| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}}
!colspan=6| Representing Boise State |
| 2013
|NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships |14th |5000 m |
| rowspan=2|2014
|rowspan=2|NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships |rowspan=2|Albuquerque, New Mexico |4th |3000 m |
| 4th
|5000 m |
==Cross country==
=Conference championships=
==Outdoor track and field==
| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}}
!colspan=6| Representing Boise State |
| 2012
|Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships |bgcolor=gold|1st |5000 m |
| 2013
|Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships |bgcolor=gold|1st |10,000 m |
| rowspan=2|2014
|rowspan=2|Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships |rowspan=2|Laramie, Wyoming |bgcolor=gold|1st |5000 m |
| bgcolor=gold|1st
|1500 m |
| 2015
|Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships |4th |1500 m |
==Indoor track and field==
| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}}
!colspan=6| Representing Boise State |
| rowspan=2|2012
|rowspan=2|Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships |rowspan=2|Albuquerque, New Mexico |bgcolor=gold|1st |3000 m |
| 5th
|5000 m |
| rowspan=2|2013
|rowspan=2|Mountain West Indoor Track and Field Championships |rowspan=2|Nampa, Idaho |bgcolor=gold|1st |3000 m |
| bgcolor=silver|2nd
|Mile |
| 2014
|Mountain West Indoor Track and Field Championships |bgcolor=gold|1st |3000 m |
==Cross country==
| {{AchievementTable}}
!colspan=6| Representing Boise State |
| 2010
|WAC Cross Country Championships |bgcolor=cc9900|3rd |
| 2011
|Mountain West Cross Country Championships |11th |
| 2013
|Mountain West Cross Country Championships |bgcolor=gold|1st |
| 2014
|Mountain West Cross Country Championships |bgcolor=gold|1st |
References
{{Reflist|3}}
External links
- {{World Athletics}}
- {{USATF}}
- [http://www.all-athletics.com/node/478097 Emma Bates Athletics profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060543/http://www.all-athletics.com/node/478097 |date=2016-03-04 }}
- [http://www.flotrack.org/speaker/17896-Emma-Bates Emma Bates Flocast Interviews] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919001653/http://www.flotrack.org/speaker/17896-Emma-Bates |date=2014-09-19 }}
- {{TFRRS|3263861|Emma Bates – Boise State}}
- [http://www.broncosports.com/sports/c-track/mtt/emma_bates_843407.html Emma Bates Boise State profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908060132/http://www.broncosports.com/sports/c-track/mtt/emma_bates_843407.html |date=2015-09-08 }}
- {{Instagram|emmajanelbates}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Footer US NC Marathon Women}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bates, Emma}}
Category:Sportspeople from Idaho
Category:American female middle-distance runners
Category:American female long-distance runners
Category:Track and field athletes from Minnesota
Category:Track and field athletes from Idaho
Category:Boise State Broncos women's track and field athletes
Category:Boise State University alumni
Category:21st-century American sportswomen
Category:NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners