The Trials Standard
June 12, 2011 - Issue 5    
In This Issue
Official U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon Website Coming Soon
Athlete Spotlight: Meb's Moment
Trials Flashback
Fun Facts
Top 12 Men's and Women's Qualifying Times

COUNTDOWN
2012 U.S. Olympic
Trials Marathon 
January 14, 2012
215 Days

2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifiers 

 116 Men  
152 Women


 


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Hello from Houston!
Official U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon Website Coming Soon

 

The Houston Marathon Committee and USATF are building out the official U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon website. The new site will host everything Trials related including the latest news, athlete profiles, where to watch, weekend event schedule, fun facts and much more!

Check out Houston2012.com in early July for its launch!

Athlete Spotlight: Meb's Moment
 
In his storied, decade-plus career, Meb Keflezighi has had many highlights including an Olympic silver medal in the marathon at Athens 2004 and a thrilling, U.S. drought-ending victory at the 2009 ING New York City Marathon, but his hometown triumph at the Dodge Rock 'n' Roll San Diego � Marathon on Sunday, June 5 also ranks highly in his collection of running moments.

 

Although his 1:02:40 in San Diego was nearly two minutes slower than his personal record, the performance was especially satisfying for Meb as he commented post-race: "It was wonderful to win in my hometown. It was my first time running here. Lots of people were calling my name. I saw my high school classmates. I recognized a lot of people."

 

He added, "My English teacher from high school once said I would run like the wind." The two fondly embraced just past the finish line.

 

At the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in Houston, Keflezighi, 36, will be one of the expected contenders for the three coveted spots on Team USA. The Mammoth Track Club athlete is no stranger to success in Houston as he won the USA Half-Marathon title in 2009 (his return to racing after a near career-ending injury).

 

In November, the two-time Olympian will return to New York City to run the marathon and 10 weeks later on January 14, he will toe the line at the Olympic Trials. In 2004, the 20-time USA champion completed a similar "double" when the UCLA grad won the aforementioned silver medal in August and 10 weeks later he finished runner-up at the ING New York City Marathon.

 

In other words, don't count out Meb or his ability to rise to the moment.

Trials Flashback  

 

The Dark Horse

1988 Jersey City, NJ

 

In one of the biggest upsets in U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon history, under gusty conditions and on a hilly course, Mark Conover, 27, from San Luis Obispo, Calif. surprised the field and the running pundits with the win. Conover and Ed Eyestone took control of the race after 17 miles and worked together over the final miles.

 

With a mile remaining, Conover, who came into the Trials race with the 67th fastest qualifying time (2:18:03), pulled away from Eyestone for the stunning victory. 1984 Trials winner Pete Pfitzinger surged late to earn the final Olympic spot for Seoul, Korea.

 

This Olympic Trials Marathon was the first one to award prize money ($150,000) and Conover's $50,000 was the largest first place payout in the marathon to-date.

Fun Facts 

 

The 1988 U.S. Men's Olympic Trials Marathon in Jersey City, NJ was the first time since 1968 that the Trials was also the national marathon championship, and subsequent Olympic Trials races were automatically national championships for both genders.

 

At Eugene 1976, Frank Shorter became the first and only repeat Olympic Trials Marathon champion to-date.

Top 12 Men's and Women's Qualifying Times*

 

*As of June 12, 2011  

 

MEN 

 

No.

Time

Name

Event

1

2:04:58

Ryan Hall (CA)

2011 Boston Marathon 
2

2:09:15

Meb Keflezighi (CA)

2009 New York City Marathon 

3

2:10:00

Dathan Ritzenhein (OR)

2009 London Marathon 

4

2:10:36

Brett Gotcher (AZ)

2010 Houston Marathon 

5

2:11:06

Jason Hartmann (OR)

2010 Chicago Marathon 

6

2:11:30

Nick Arciniaga (AZ)

2011 Houston Marathon 

7

2:12:34

Jason Lehmkuhle (MN)

2010 Boston Marathon 

8

2:13:00

Jorge Torres (CO)

2009 New York City Marathon 

9

2:13:47

Antonio Vega (MN)

2010 Boston Marathon 

10

2:13:51

Josh Cox (CA)

2009 California International Marathon 

11

2:14:00

Abdi Abdirahman (AZ)

2009 New York City Marathon 

12

2:14:02

Sergio Reyes (CA)

2010 Twin Cities Marathon 


WOMEN

 




No.

Time

Name

Event 

1

2:22:38

Desiree Davila (MI)

2011 Boston Marathon

2

2:24:52

Kara Goucher (OR)

2011 Boston Marathon

3

2:26:22

Magdalena Lewy Boulet (CA)

2010 Fortis Marathon Rotterdam

4

2:27:03

Amy Hastings (CA)

2011 LA Marathon 

5

2:28:40

Shalane Flanagan (OR)

2010 New York Marathon

6

2:29:35

Stephanie Rothstein (AZ)

2011 Houston Marathon

7

2:29:54

Clara Grandt (WV)

2011 Boston Marathon 

8

2:30:51

Colleen De Reuck (CO)

2010 Copenhagen Marathon 

9

2:30:53

Tera Moody (CO)

2010 Chicago Marathon 

10

2:31:01

Katie McGregor (MN)

2010 New York Marathon

11

2:31:49

Ilsa Paulson (NY)

2009 Twin Cities Marathon 

12

2:32:51

Zoila Gomez (CO)

2010 Chicago Marathon