Missing Paris Olympics Berth by a Hair, 32-Year-Old Arizonan Runner Remains Hopeful As ‘The Best Alternate’

The 2024 Olympic year kicked off with a remarkable showcase of talent in track and field as the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Marathon Trials unfolded on February 3, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. The stakes were high as the top three finishers in each race secured their tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Notably, among the women, Fiona O’Keeffe, Emily Sisson, and Dakotah Lindwurm clinched their spots to represent Team USA.

However, in fourth place, a resilient Arizona native emerged who had overcome setbacks, including injuries and the pandemic, to qualify for the Olympic Trials. The recent signing with Brooks Running by this 32-year-old generated significant buzz, underscoring her talent. Following this announcement, she shared her goals and roles as she also gears up for the Paris Olympics.

In the CITIUS MAG podcast with Chris Chavez, Jess McClain opened up about her experience at the US Olympic Marathon Trials despite missing the berth by 15 seconds and qualifying as a traveling alternate. When Chris Chavez humorously posed the question of whether she ever contemplated lobbying World Athletics for an additional spot for the US team, McClain responded with laughter, saying, “I’ll be the best alternate ever and biggest cheerleader out there. I will.”

She also mentioned a desire to stay prepared for potential opportunities while maintaining a positive outlook on the situation and remaining optimistic about future racing opportunities beyond the Olympic Trials. As we reflect on this, let us see what she has been up to since the Olympic trials and also how she is preparing for the Paris Olympics as an alternate.

What has Jess McClain been up to, and what lies ahead of her?

Since her impressive fourth-place finish at the US Olympic Marathon Trials, Jess McClain has been anything but idle. Making a significant move, she announced her re-signing with Brooks, whom she had previously represented during her college years at Stanford from 2015 to 2018. Despite re-signing with Brooks, McClain is still self-coaching her training regimen.

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She has opted not to join the Brooks Beasts Track Club and will continue training in Phoenix, Arizona. McClain has a loose timeline for her Olympic preparation, with a mid-to-late July cutoff for making decisions about her racing schedule leading up to the Paris Olympics. She is open to racing opportunities and remains committed to staying marathon-ready while also considering potential track events like the 10,000 meters.

Jess expresses her readiness to step in as a replacement athlete, even if it means flying out on short notice and competing the next day. She shared, “If somebody from Team USA is ever doubting, you know if somebody would step up two days before, not here. No, no, no, I’ll do it.” As the year unfolds, track and field enthusiasts eagerly anticipate witnessing the continued impact and achievements of Jess McClain in the sport.

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