After controversy and arguments over weather and start times, the US Olympic Marathon Trials are upon us. This weekend will see who takes a seat on the plane to Paris.
The Fastest Trials Ever?
Since 1968 the U.S. Olympic Marathon team has been selected based on the results of one race. This Olympic year is no different. With many of the fastest American distance athletes preparing for this event for the last few years, everyone is asking themselves the question of who will come out on top.
The top three male and female finishers are likely to make the team for this year’s Olympics in Paris.
The Men’s Race – Orlando Marathon Trials 2024
The men’s race sees three favourites coming into the trials. The twenty-seven-year-old Conner Mantz has been the fastest American marathoner in the past two years as a crowd favourite to take a place on the U.S. Olympic Marathon team. Followed closely by his training partner, Clayton Young has dropped his PB down by 3:51 in the past few years to become the second fastest Male Marathon runner in America in the last two years making him the second favourite in Orlando later this week. However, probably one of the most known U.S. distance athletes of this time, Galen Rupp is sure to complete an amazing performance this week. Having been the top U.S. distance athlete for the last four Olympic cycles, has he been able to shake off concerns about his health and will we see him being part of the U.S. team for Paris?
The Women’s Race – Orlando Marathon Trials 2024
While the Men’s race has some impressive competitors coming into it, the Women’s race is sure to be one of the fastest Olympic trials yet. The 2020 trials included one woman who had broken 2:22:00, this year we will see two women – Emily Sisson and Keira D’Amato – who have run sub 2:20:00 since the previous trials and another 10 women who have run sub 2:25:00 in 2023. Those three U.S. Olympic marathon places could be anyone’s this year, but it’s almost certain that the current American record holder Emily Sisson will take one of them.
Sadly, Tokyo bronze medalist Molly Seidel will not be on the start line to try and defend her medal after sustaining an injury in the lead up to the event. Who will take the third seat on the plane? Betsy Saina is looking to make her first US Olympic team after competing for Kenya in 2016. Sarah Hall will be looking to make a marathon team in her 6th cycle. The veteran has had an amazing career to now, could this be the fairytale ending at the marathon trials?
Keep your eyes on Meta Endurance Racing and Meta Endurance News for more during the event!
