INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The American marathon team has been finalized ahead of this year's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, the USATF announced recently. Team USA will feature some of the best marathoners in the world, including a former Drake Bulldog, and current Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays Blake Boldon on staff.
 
Minnesota native Reed Fischer made the men's marathon squad. The 2017 Drake University graduate finished ninth at last year's Olympic Trials and posted a 2:10.14 run at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. Fischer's trip to Tokyo will mark his second international championship appearance after running in the half marathon at the inaugural World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia in 2023.
 
Fischer was a multiple time Missouri Valley Conference champion on the track and cross country course while earning high honors at the Drake Relays and All-MVC distinction. He later competed for Team USA at the 2018 NACAC Games in Toronto, Canada where he won bronze in the 10000.
 
Current Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays Blake Boldon will be on staff for Team USA for the fifth time in the last four years. Boldon will be in Tokyo as the Men's Head Manager, a role he previously filled on USATF Under 20 Championship team in 2024. Boldon was also an Event Manager for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary and 2022 NACAC Championships in Freeport, Bahamas. Boldon worked directly with Fischer at the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships as the Team USA Men's Coach.
 
"Serving on the staff of Team USA is an incredible honor," Boldon said. "But this year's championship takes on a special meaning to be able to support a world class Bulldog like Reed Fischer."
 
The 2025 World Athletics Championship will be held in Tokyo from Sep. 13-21.
 
The full team representing USA Track & Field in Tokyo will be announced following the 2025 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore. from July 31-Aug. 3.