US Marathon Trials: 40-Year-Old US Athlete Reveals the Efforts Behind the Race, Says “Went All In”

The Paris Olympics 2024‘s main cut is currently underway with the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials taking place in Orlando. Three of the fastest American women ever are battling for Team USA in this 26.2-mile event. These athletes must aim to finish the run in 2:29:30 or less to earn a coveted position on the Olympic squad. Interestingly, during the allotted period, more than a dozen ladies in the field had already accomplished this outstanding achievement making the competition intense.

In the initial group including one of the fastest U.S. women’s marathoners in history, Sara Hall is set to grace the track any moment. Two of the other best American women marathoners are running alongside her in an attempt to become the first to be selected for the Olympic squad. A sneak peek from the scene was recently shared online by Hall, adding to the excitement.

Paris Olympics 2024: Tracks heat up for a spot in squad

Sara Hall, a mainstay since the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials is currently targeting the finish line of the Olympics trial in Orlando. Hall shared pictures from the venture accompanied by the caption on X, saying, “It here- Olympic Trials marathon in the morning! Excited. Grateful. Man I’ve put a lot into this one. Rebuilt my body, committed to the heat training, went all in on this race. No matter what the result I’ll be proud of the process. But I really want to make this team.”

The fourth-fastest American, Hall, is joined by fellow fastest female marathoners in American history, Keira D’Amato, and Emily Sissonare. The top athletes are joined by Tokyo Olympic Trials champion Aliphine Tuliamuk and 2023’s fastest American, Betsy Saina. Meanwhile, many athletes dropped citing injury and health issues ahead of the trial leaving the team roster slimer. However, many hopes are set on America’s top three who previously headlined with their wins.

Get to know America’s veteran marathoners’ track records

The 32-year-old leader Emily Sisson ran 2:18:29 securing the second spot at 2022 Chicago after being assumed to be the front-runner for the 2020 trials which later ended up in withdrawal. Sisson later qualified for the 10,000m Olympic team in Tokyo and placed tenth.

Meanwhile, 39-year-old D’Amato returned to the tracks after being a mother and finishing college, eventually establishing a record at the 2023 Gold Coast Half marathon clocking 1:06:37.

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Hall is attempting to become the oldest American woman to run in the Olympics at 40. She is competing in her ninth Olympic Trials race since 2004 in a variety of disciplines. She had a long career, however she has never been selected for an Olympic squad.

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