In a surprise announcement last night, the Faxon Law New Haven Road Race revealed that none other than Galen Rupp -- the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist for the marathon -- will race the event this Monday, September 4, in Connecticut. The race will serve as the USATF 20K Championships with $38,550 worth of prize money set to be paid out.

Rupp has not raced since competing in the 10K at the USATF Outdoor Championships in June, when he fell two spots short of making the IAAF World Championships team. The eight-time national champion over 10K cemented his transition to the roads with his medal performance in Rio last summer and a runner-up finish at the 2017 Boston Marathon, the highest placement for an American since Meb Keflezighi won Boston in 2014 and the best finish for an American-born male since 1985. 

His main competition in New Haven will be 2016 USATF 20K champion Leonard Korir, who defeated Rupp at the USATF Outdoor Championships to earn a spot on Team USA's 10K contingent at Worlds. Korir placed 13th at the World Championships in London.

Sam Chelanga, Christo Landry, and Tim Ritchie will also be contenders in the men's field.

The women's field includes defending champion Aliphine Tuliamuk, the reigning USATF XC and 25K champion; Rupp's teammate Jordan Hasay, whose third-place run at Boston shattered the American record for debut marathon in 2:23; and 10K world finalist Emily Sisson, who placed ninth at the London World Championships. Olympians Janet Cherobon-Bawcom and Shalaya Kipp will also compete.

The male and female winners will receive $8,000 with a $1,000 course record bonus.