Nearly 700 men and women will line up tomorrow for the Olympic Trials Marathon. I can’t think of a year with this much interest–going beyond just a few thousand runner geeks scattered across the continent, this has nearly gone mainstream. I think with the stacked shoes, the large field, Atlanta’s push to make this the biggest and best ever, and some very compelling races up front.
About the shoes
wow, Nike is offering free Alphaflys to anyone who wants them. Wonder if anyone will chuck their sponsorship in favor of a possible better time to wear the shoes. If I were a 2:12-14 guy, or 2:28-32 woman and was on a modest sponsorship or unsponsored, and didn’t have an alternative, yeah I’d think about it. Nevertheless, Hoka, Saucony, Adidas (maybe) and Brooks at least will have their new shoes or prototypes out there on the course. If it’s a Nike sweep and some from down in the depth charts make it, I’ll go bleeghhh! Looking closely because in 2020 I’ll likely get a stacked shoe for my own masters plodding.
On the large field
It’s partly the shoes (see above) but also just a lot of interest and prestige in getting a Trials standard and the opportunity to line up with current and future legends in an all-American event. I do think they’ll have to adjust the standards. Have been hearing arguments saying they should go the other way, lessen the men’s standard to 2:20 or 2:25, and women’s back to 2:48 or 2:50 and make it an even bigger event. But I disagree with that. If they do that it becomes more of a high-end citizens race, and it would be fairly crowded and not really simulate the Olympics.
What are the Olympics? It’s about having the best in the world line up and have a go at it. And the Trials should be relatively close to the expected conditions (including course and weather) and having a limited field on a special day does that. So if I had a choice I’d keep it at approximately 100 men and women qualifying for their respective races. Right now that would be about sub 2:17 and 2:38. Those are good, near-elite (I think better than “sub-elite). However, in non-Olympic years USATF should host a more open US championship (Not tied in with a mass race, but stand alone championship), with qualifying times in the 2:20-25 range for men and 2:45-2:50 for women. That would give incentive for sub elite runners to keep going every year, not just once every four years, and it would be an exciting annual event for three years, culminating with Olympic Trials on the fourth year.
The courses for the US Championships should be fast and races run in good conditions (or as good as possible). That way more athletes would have a chance to attain the now very stringent standards. Meanwhile, the Trials should simulate expected conditions at the Olympics.
Atlanta Running City USA
I think the moniker from Atlanta Track Club is a bit pretentious but they’re doing a wonderful job at building these trials up, and you have to hand it to them. I expect the races on Saturday will be fantastic and that credit goes to ATC and all their hard work.
About the races
I wrote up some a few months here are my picks and darkhorses.
Women: Emily Sisson, Sarah Hall, Kellyn Taylor — but any one of a dozen runners (Linden, Hasay, Huddle, Tilliamuck, Kipyego, Rojas, Flanagan, Theatt among the more notable) will be in there.
Men: Jared Ward, Leonard Korir, Galen Rupp, Scott Fauble. I’ll keep Fauble in there a co-favorite to make the team should Rupp or Korir falter. Likewise there is a dozen or more other men who could contend if they have a great day or if their shoes are working extra well. I think someone off the radar will bust into a top 5.
Shoutout to some friends
I know or have met a bunch of qualifiers so have a good race Megan, Evan, Sarah, Tony, Laura, Lindsay. Hope you all have good races and a great experience in Atlanta.
rrunnin234 