The US Olympic Marathon Trials will be in Atlanta, GA on February 29, 2020. Some news from September is that the top 3 go (no IAAF time qualifiers needed now), and the Trials organizers smoothed out the course, taking out some of the turns and large hills. So it should be a faster race. Also, the Olympic marathon next August will be in Saporro, Japan not Tokyo. So the weather will not ba as brutal as predicted.
The favorites by qualifying time
Jordan Hasay 2:20:57 Chicago Marathon Chicago, IL 2017
Amy Cragg 2:21:42 Tokyo Marathon Tokyo, JPN 2018
Sara Hall 2:22:16 Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon Ottawa, CAN 2018
Emily Sisson 2:23:08 Virgin Money London Marathon London, UK 2019
Kellyn Taylor 2:24:29 Grandma’s Marathon Duluth, MN 2018
Sally Kipyego 2:25:10 Berlin 2019
Bates, Emma2:25:27 Chicago 2019
Molly Huddle 2:26:33 London Marathon 2019
Aliphine Tuliamuk 2:26:50 Rotterdam 2019
Desiree Linden 2:27:00 Boston Marathon 2019
Stephanie Bruce 2:27:47 Chicago 2019
Lindsay Flanagan 2:28:08 Chicago 2019
Nell Rojas 2:28:07 Grandma’s Marathon 2019
Allie Kieffer 2:28:12 New York City Marathon New York, NY 2018
Laura Thweatt 2:29:06 Chicago 2019
Roberta Groner 2:29:09 Marathon Rotterdam 2019
Taylor Ward 2:30:14 Chicago 2019
Sarah Sellers 2:31:49 Chicago 2019
Who’s on form, who is not
Hasay – Coached by Salazar/Nike Oregon Project. Was said to be healthy for the Chicago build up, but often been injured. Has barely raced in 2019. Dropped out at Chicago after just 3 miles due to hamstring.
Cragg – Defending Trials champion, 7th at Rio Olympics, and Bronze medal at 2017 World Championship. Hasn’t raced in a year and a half and said to be injured. Chances are dwindling.
Sisson – On a roll, with a 2:23 debut last spring; has as good of a chance at making the team as anyone, and maybe the favorite to qualify.
Hall – Wife of Ryan Hall, has been on road racing tear over the past two years. Racing a lot on the roads and winning several national championships. 2:22 in Berlin a breakout race.
Taylor – Surprise of 2018-2019. Looking very fit as of summer 2019. Based on recent form also a good possibility for top 3.
Kipyego – Former NCAA champion for Texas Tech University and was 5th in the 2015 World Championships 10000 m (right behind Molly Huddle), running for Kenya, will probably be in the top group in Atlanta.
Huddle – Most talented distance runner (10K and up) in the US over the past 5 or 10 years (like 28 national championships), but hasn’t put together a great marathon. Almost certain to make the 10000 m team later in the year, and should be top 5 in the OT marathon unless something goes awry.
Bates – Emma Bates is a runner to watch. She’s still young (27) and made her debut last fall with a 2:28 on the fast California International Marathon, and winning the USA championship. Ran 2:25 in Chicago the other week.
Tuliamuk – Like Huddle, super talented at 10K to half marathon and would have a good chance if one of the top runners has an off day.
Bruce – Like Sara Hall a prolific racer and fierce competitor and a runner who has peaked in her mid-30s. 2:27 at Chicago. Has a chance at making the team.
L. Flanagan (no relation to Shalane) – Been on the scene for a number of years, and with a 7th and 2:28 PR at Chicago Marathon this month has improved her chances. Was not wearing Vaporfly or competitor prototypes, but a training shoe–Lindsay Flanagan 2:28 in trainers!
Linden – With the Boston win, probably now the most famous marathoner of the bunch. Has made two Olympic teams, but with NYC and Boston Marathons in the mix in 2019-20, may not even line up or take the OTs seriously.
Rojas – A triathlete with a good running background (father was USA champion in 10000 m back in the 70s and she ran at Northern Arizona University), Rojas had the break out race that Gwen Joregensen was expected to have. Ran that earlier this summer with the 2:28 at Grandma’s.
Kieffer – PRd just last year at the fairly tough NYC course but has struggled with injury and coaching changes since. Talented and iconoclastic/somewhat provocative, but probably a long shot to make the team.
Groner – at 41 the oldest in the field. Placed a remarkable 6th for USA at the World Championships marathon in Doha, Qatar.
Others who could be in the mix –
Gwen Jorgensen who won the Olympic triathlon in Rio and has run sub 32 for 10K and dipped under 1:11 for the half marathon. Also Elaina Tabb (qualifying with a 1:10 half).
Laura Thweatt, ran a debut 2:25 at London a few years ago (and top 10 all time USA) but had injuries. A top 5 at USA road championships this summer and the 2:29 in Chicago is encouraging.
Early Predictions (subject to revision!)
Who is going to be? What a great field for the Trials next February. Deepest ever and there are no given favorites. Hasay might have been, but after the Chicago DNF and turmoil surrounding her coach, now banned, and training group, now disbanded she’s not a given.
Here are my pics for top 3, with 2 on the wings:
- Sisson, 2. Hall, 3. Hasay. With Taylor and Bates mixing it up for a podium spot should one of the top 3 not have a good day or not line up.
rrunnin234 