 Rowbury in 2016 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | (1984-09-19)September 19, 1984 (age 41) |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Weight | 115 lb (52 kg) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Track |
Event(s) | 800 meters, 1500 meters, 5000 meters |
| College team | Duke Blue Devils |
| Coached by | Pete Julian |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Olympic finals |
|
| World finals |
|
| Personalbests | |
Shannon Solares-Rowbury (born September 19, 1984) is an Americanmiddle-distance runner fromSan Francisco,California. After competing collegiately forDuke University, she turned professional in 2007. Rowbury has represented theUnited States at the2008,2012, and2016Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal in2012, becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the event.[4] She also represented the United States at theWorld Championships in2009,2011,2013,2015, and2017, winning the bronze medal in the1500 meters in 2009.[5] In 2015, Rowbury helped set the world record with the U.S. team for thedistance medley relay event,[6] and set a then-American record for 1500 meters on July 17, 2015, breaking Mary Slaney's 32 year-old mark with a time of 3:56.29.[3][7]
Rowbury was born in San Francisco, California. She grew up in theParkside section of theSunset District neighborhood in San Francisco. In 2002, Rowbury graduated fromSacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory High School in San Francisco. Rowbury attendedDuke University and studiedEnglish andTheater and competed on the cross country and track and field teams for the school. In 2007, Rowbury graduated from Dukemagna cum laude in English and Theater Studies with a certificate in Film/Video/Digital Studies.[8] She completed hermaster's degree at Duke in May 2008, with an emphasis onFilm andWomen's Studies.[9] In April 2007, Rowbury was diagnosed with a femoral neck stress fracture (hip joint), which abruptly put an end to her collegiate career at Duke University.[10]
Rowbury marriedMexican-American runnerPablo Solares on April 11, 2015. She gave birth to their daughter on June 30, 2018.[11]
Rowbury set a school record for the mile in the indoor track season as a freshman at Duke. In her sophomore year she earned indoor All-American status, finishing in 8th place at the NCAA championships in the mile. In her junior year season she anchored Duke's first victorious distance medley relay team. As a senior, she helped Duke place third at the NCAA cross country championships. She redshirted her indoor and outdoor seasons of her senior year, but set Duke school records in the 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m and steeplechase, the latter at 9.59.4.[12][13]
Rowbury signed withNike in June 2007. Her first six months of training under John Cook involved rehabilitation from her stress fracture. In November 2007, Rowbury competed at the Seagate Elite 5K Road Race inSan Jose, California to assess her current fitness level coming back from her injury. She managed a second-place finish, with a time of 15:54.
In January 2008, Rowbury enjoyed her first extended stint at altitude in central Mexico where she trained for six weeks with her coach and teammates. She returned to the United States in February to compete in theUSA Indoor Track and Field Championships, her first track race since her injury 11 months earlier. Rowbury went on to win the 3000 m in a personal best time of 8:55.19. In April 2008, Rowbury opened up her outdoor track campaign at the Duke Invitational, winning the 800 m by 12 seconds with a two-second personal best time of 2:02.76.
Her next race was in early May at the Payton Jordon Invitational at Stanford University where she hoped to achieve the Olympic A standard at 1500 m (4:07.00). Although Rowbury came up short of her goal while racing at Stanford, she did manage a five-second personal best at this distance with a time of 4:07.59.
Still seeking the Olympic A standard, Rowbury raced at theAdidas Track Classic inCarson, California on May 18, 2008. In the 1500 m, she won with a time of 4:01.61, improving another six seconds over her previous personal best. This performance placed Rowbury 5th all-time at 1500 m forUnited States females. In addition, her effort would have placed her 9th in the world rankings based on the 2007IAAF world performance list. This performance gave her the Olympic A standard that she needed heading into theUSATF Olympic Trials.
On July 6, 2008 at the USATF Olympic Trials inEugene, Oregon, Rowbury placed first in the 1500 m final with a time of 4:05.48, followed byErin Donohue andChristin Wurth-Thomas. The three qualified to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics based on their performance at the trials.[14]
Rowbury had the fourth-fastest time in the first-round heats of thewomen's 1500 m run inBeijing, qualifying for the finals.[15] She was the only American athlete to advance to the finals, where she placed seventh with a time of 4:03.58. Her seventh-place finish was (as of then) the best finish ever by an American woman in the 1500 meters at the modern Olympics.[16]
Rowbury retained her 1500 m title at the 2009 US Championships, beatingChristin Wurth-Thomas and qualifying for the2009 World Championships in Athletics.[17] At the 2009 World Championships, inBerlin, Rowbury captured the bronze medal in a time of 4:04.18.[18] A month later she won her firstFifth Avenue Mile, narrowly edging outLisa Dobriskey,Sara Hall and Wurth-Thomas.[19]
In 2010, Rowbury finished second in the 1500 meters at the US Indoor Championships, and third at the US Championships outdoors. On July 22, 2010, Rowbury improved her personal best in the 3000 m by 23 seconds with a time of 8:31.38, which was the third-best mark in U.S. history.[20][21]
Rowbury won the 2010 edition of theFifth Avenue Mile on September 26, 2010.[22]
In 2011, Rowbury finished third at the US Championships, qualifying her for theIAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. There, she qualified for the semifinals, but was eliminated from the competition in the semi-final race.
Rowbury finished second at theU.S. Olympic track and field trials, qualifying her for her second consecutive Olympics.Morgan Uceny, who finished first at the trials, andJenny Simpson, who finished third, also competed with Rowbury at the London Olympics. Rowbury initially finished sixth in the1500 meters race at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[23] At the time, her sixth-place finish was the best finish ever by an American woman in the 1500 meters at the modern Olympics. Currently in fourth position following the disqualifications ofAslı Çakır Alptekin andGamze Bulut, she stands to be upgraded to the bronze medal afterTatyana Tomashova was disqualified for doping in September 2024. Six of the top nine finishers in the event (not including Rowbury) have been either disqualified or linked to performance-enhancing drug use, with ESPN labeling it "one of the dirtiest [races] in Olympic history".[24][25]
Rowbury began her season at theDrake Relays, finishing fourth in the 1500m with a time of 4:09.05.[26] After finishing fourth in the 1500 meters at theUSATF Championships in June 2013 in a slow, tactical final, Rowbury was left off the World Championships team in the 1500 metres, her main event. She later finished third in the 5000 meters at the USATF Championships, qualifying her for her third consecutiveWorld Championship team. BecauseTreniere Moser, who was on the World Championships team for the 1500 meters, pulled out due to a hamstring injury, Rowbury could have run the 1500 meters, but was forced to run the 5000 meters due to a technicality.[27] Rowbury finished 7th in the 5000 meters in Moscow, just behind her compatriotMolly Huddle. After the 2013 season, Rowbury's coach, John Cook, retired, and she switched coaches toAlberto Salazar, becoming a member of theNike Oregon Project.[28]
Rowbury began her season at theUniversity of Washington Indoor Preview, finishing fourth in the 800 meters with a time of 2:07.72 on January 18, 2014.[29] She was the runner-up in the 3000 meters in 9:25.49 at2014 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships on February 22, 2014.[30]
On June 27, 2014, Rowbury finished second in the 5,000 metersUS outdoor title inSacramento, California with a time of 15:01.71, being passed byMolly Huddle in the final meters, who won in 15:01.56.[31]
After many years of trying Rowbury broke the four-minute barrier for the first time in the 1500m at the prestigiousParisDiamond League meeting on July 5. She recorded a time of 3:59.49 seconds. Just two weeks later at theMonacoDiamond League meeting she recorded a new lifetime best in the 5000m finishing behind American Record holderMolly Huddle in the race. Her time of 14:48.68[32] saw her go under the 15 minute barrier for the first time and slice 12 seconds off her previous personal best. She became the fourth-fastest American women ever over the distance.
Rowbury, still training underAlberto Salazar, raced in five indoor races with her capstone performances earning gold medals in a 4:34.40 mile and 9:43.94 two-mile atUSA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
| Date | Distance | Place | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 17, 2015 | Mile | 1st | 4:27.86 |
| January 17, 2015 | 1000m | 1st | 2:40.25 |
Rowbury won theMillrose Games women's Wanamaker mile in 4:24.32.[33][34]
Rowbury was runner up in the 1500 m in 4:14.99 in2015 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
On July 17, 2015, Rowbury broke the American record in the 1500 m at the Diamond League competition in Monaco, with a time of 3:56.29.[35][36][37]
Rowbury made it to the final in the2015 World Championships in Athletics – Women's 1500 metres, leading on a slow first 800m, and finishing 7th in 4:12.39.
On September 11, at theDiamond League finale inBrussels, Rowbury placed 3rd in the mile in 4:22.10, just ahead ofJennifer Simpson who finished in 4:22.18.[38]
On September 13, Rowbury placed 2nd in a time of 4:29.3 at theNew York Road RunnersFifth Avenue Mile inNew York City, just behind Simpson at 4:29.0.[39]
On February 20, 2016 Rowbury won theMillrose Games women's Wanamaker Mile for the second year in a row, finishing in 4:24.39[40]
On March 12, Rowbury won the3000 meters in 8:55.65 at the2016 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships. She won the bronze medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championships behindGenzebe Dibaba andMeseret Defar in the same event.[41]
After finishing second at the US Olympic Trials, Rowbury went on to finish 4th in the1500m final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, behind her compatriotJenny Simpson.
On August 27, 2016, Rowbury finished 4th in the1500 meters inStade de France, Paris, in 3:58.00.[42] On September 1 in the Diamond League 1500m final in Zurich, Rowbury outleanedLaura Muir, running a season's best time of 3:57.78. This was Rowbury's first ever 1500m victory in a Diamond League meeting. On September 9, Rowbury finished 5th in the 5000m in the Brussels Diamond League, breakingMolly Huddle's U.S. 5000m record, finishing in a time of 14:38.92.[43]
On April 2, 2017, Rowbury was second in the road 5kCarlsbad 5000 finishing in 15:36, 1 second behindViola Lagat.[44][45]
Rowbury was training for the2020 U.S. Olympic track and field trials and aiming to make her fourth Olympic team. She suffered a stress fracture after the trials were rescheduled to 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and did not enter the trials as a result.[46]
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing the United States | ||||||
| 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China | 7th | 1500 m | 4:03.58 | |
| 2009 | World Championships | Berlin, Germany | 3rd | 1500 m | 4:04.18 | |
| 2011 | World Championships | South Korea | 20th (sf) | 1500 m | 4:11.49 | |
| 2012 | Olympic Games | London, England | 3rd | 1500 m | 4:11.26 | |
| 2013 | World Championships | Moscow, Russia | 7th | 5000 m | 15:06.10 | |
| 2015 | World Championships | Beijing, China | 7th | 1500 m | 4:12.16 | |
| 2016 | World Indoor Championships | Portland, Oregon | 3rd | 3000 m | 8:55.55 | |
| Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 4th | 1500 m | 4:11.05 | ||
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 9th | 5000 m | 14:59.92 | |
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 1st | 1500 m | 4:05.48[47] |
| 2009 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 1st | 1500 m | 4:05.07[48] |
| 2010 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 3rd | 1500 m | 4:14.41[49] |
| 2011 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 3rd | 1500 m | 4:06.20[50] |
| 2012 | US Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 2nd | 1500 m | 4:05.11[51] |
| 2013 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Des Moines, Iowa | 4th | 1500 m | 4:30.09[52] |
| 3rd | 5000 m | 15:37.27[52] | |||
| 2014 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 2nd | 5000 m | 15:01.71[53] |
| 2015 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 2nd | 1500 m | 4:14.99[54] |
| 2016 | US Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 2nd | 1500 m | 4:05.39 |
| 2017 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Sacramento, California | 2nd | 5000 m | 15:14.08[55] |
| USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Sacramento, California | 8th | 1500 m | 4:10.36[55] |
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | USA Indoor Track and Field Championships | Boston, Massachusetts | 1st | 3000 m | 8:55.19[56] |
| 2010 | USA Indoor Track and Field Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 3rd | 3000 m | 9:15.92[57] |
| 2nd | 1500 m | 4:19.38 | |||
| 2014 | USA Indoor Track and Field Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 2nd | 3000 m | 9:25.41[58] |
| 2015 | USA Indoor Track and Field Championships | Boston, Massachusetts | 1st | 2 Mile | 9:43.94 |
| 1st | Mile | 4:43.40[59] | |||
| 2016 | USA Indoor Track and Field Championships | Portland, Oregon | 1st | 3000 m | 8:55.65[60] |
| 2016 | World Indoor Track and Field Championships | Portland, Oregon | 3rd | 3000 m | 8:55.55[61] |
| Event | Time | Venue | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor | ||||
| 800 m | 1:59.97 | Eugene | July 29, 2016 | |
| 1500 m | 3:56.29 | Monaco | July 17, 2015[35] | American record until October 5, 2019; broken byShelby Houlihan (3:54.99) |
| Mile run | 4:20.34 | Rieti | September 7, 2008 | |
| 3000 m | 8:29.93 | Brussels | September 5, 2014[62] | |
| Two miles | 9:20.25 | Eugene, Oregon | May 31, 2014 | American record until April 27, 2018; broken byJenny Simpson (9:16.78) |
| 5000 m | 14:38.92 | Brussels | September 9, 2016[63] | American record until July 21, 2018; broken byShelby Houlihan (14:34.45) |
| Indoor | ||||
| 1500 m | 4:05.08 | New York, NY | February 14, 2015 | |
| Mile run | 4:22.66 | Winston-Salem, NC | January 31, 2015 | Flat Track Record[citation needed] |
| 3000 m | 8:41.94 | Boston | January 28, 2017[64] | |
| Two miles | 9:43.94 | Boston | March 1, 2015 | |
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