The Falmouth Road Race on Friday announced its pro field, with some of the biggest stars in American distance running heading to Cape Cod on Aug. 16.
The 54th edition of the race will be, as usual, 7 miles long, starting in Woods Hole and ending in Falmouth Heights.
Two of the fastest American marathoners in history will be in the field. Conner Mantz, the American record-holder in the marathon, will make his Falmouth debut. Zouhair Talbi, the third-fastest American ever in the marathon who finished fifth in April’s Boston Marathon, will return after finishing as the top American in Falmouth last year.
It’ll be Mantz’s first race since setting the American record in the marathon in Chicago in 2025, having missed this spring’s Boston Marathon with injury. It’ll also be his first race since welcoming his first child at the end of July.
“The Falmouth Road Race is one of the most iconic road races in the country, and I’m excited to finally experience the history and atmosphere for myself,” said Mantz. “After some big life changes this year, I’m looking forward to getting back on the starting line and testing myself against some of the best runners in the world.”
The men’s field also includes course record-holder Wesley Kiptoo, defending champion Amon Kemboi, and three-time champion and Canadian Olympian Ben Flanagan.
The women’s field will include Elise Cranny, who recently turned to the roads after four national championships (and two trips to the Olympics) on the track. Jess McClain, who ran the fastest time by an American woman at the Boston Marathon in April, is also in the field, as is breakout star Emma Grace Hurley.
Hurley finished second last year and will be looking to do one better in 2026.
“Racing at Falmouth in 2025 gave me a lot of confidence and this season has been a breakthrough for me,” said Hurley. “Coming back after finishing second and competing against such a talented field is a challenge that excites me.”
Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com.