“The Why” - Chapter One

For many, distance running is shrouded in subjectivity; it’s a lifelong endeavor of competing against yourself. You set the goal, you beat it, you reset the goal and proceed accordingly. For few in the sport, objectivity rules. Boston’s recently changed qualifying time and other major marathon standards provide a goal for many to chase in a career on the roads. However, there is a more elusive objective standard that lurks beyond these marathon qualifying times: the Olympic Trials Qualifier. 

In preparation for each Olympic cycle, USA Track & Field releases “A” and “B” qualifying standards for the Olympic Trials. For the 2020 Olympic cycle, women have the ability to meet the “B” standard is 2:45:00 in the marathon or 1:13:00 in the half marathon. Athletes have a window to hit this standard between September 1st, 2017 and January 20th, 2020. Athletes who meet this standard then have the ability to compete for a spot on the 2020 Olympic Marathon Team.

In June of 2019, a small team of amateur athletes will toe the line in pursuit of a 2:45 marathon, which will be a personal record for all. After two months of training together for their respective fall marathons, the team reassembled for the pursuit of something great; All it took was a little brainstorming over beers and the thought of “wouldn’t that be fun?” We all know that the sport of running is steeped in growth. However, the pursuit of an Olympic Trials Qualifier may beg a bigger question of “Why?”

Stay tuned for installments of the “Why” and learn about why each one of these athletes wants to take on this challenge.