Guillen finishes 32nd at Chicago Marathon

Curly Guillen - Marathon

Curly Guillen after completing the Chicago marathon on Sunday.

Santa Barbara’s Curly Guillen was 32nd overall at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday and the 18th American to cross the finish line at one of the largest marathon events in the world.

Guillen’s time of two hours, 23 minutes and 33 seconds was a personal best on a 26.2 mile course. It bettered his time from the Los Angeles Marathon earlier this year by two minutes.

The 33-year-old was attempting to break 2:18:00 in order to qualify for next year’s U.S. Olympic Trials. If his body cooperates, he says his next chance to qualify would be the Cal International Marathon in Sacramento in December.

Seven others who listed Santa Barbara or Goleta as their hometowns completed the marathon, led by Tim Hale in the 45-49 age group with a time of 3:09:05.  The Chicago Marathon was the second-largest in the country last year with over 40,000 finishers.