In 2020, COVID-19 affected athletes’ lives in unexpected ways. For middle- and long-distance runner Jessica McClain, the mental health challenges brought on by the pandemic made her take a step back from running. “It became really tough to only have running,” confessed the athlete. However, within four years, the American didn’t just make it as an Olympic alternate; she’ll now explore a new horizon with the New York Marathon.

What was most remarkable about the runner’s rise in 2024 was the time she put behind self-coaching. After her break from full-time running post-pandemic, Jessica McClain integrated running into her life and not the other way around. “It’s not so much fitting my life around running anymore,” the athlete told The Stanford Daily after finishing fourth during the Olympic Marathon trials.

“I think it’s cool to show people that doing it your way is okay,” the former cross country runner told The Stanford Daily. Another fourth-place finish at the Olympic Trials 10,000m race meant that she missed out on an active spot on the Paris roster. However, Jessica McClain earned an alternate spot for the Olympics while adopting a more independent training philosophy, emphasizing personal growth and self-coaching as she returned to competitive running. And it’s this self-confidence that the 32-year-old is bringing to the New York Marathon.

The Sunday marathon will be the middle-distance runner’s first World Marathon Majors appearance. While McClain hasn’t run the 26.2-mile course before in her career, she is coming into the contest with a personal best of 2:25:46 hr time from the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. The breakout track and field star has also kept her competition kicks warm since the trials.

The Brooks Running sponsored athlete competed in the 2024 USATF 10 km Championships on September 21. The Phoenix, Arizona native showcased an impressive display, winning the event held in New York with a time of 31:40 min. However, running at the 53rd New York Marathon will be more than just a personal milestone.

Jessica McClain is in the running to become Top American at the New York Marathon

While participants don’t get prize money for winning the marathon, the massive race with over 50,000 participants has stakes that work on different levels. While Jessica McClain is aware of the strong competition, including defending champion Hellen Obiri, her primary goal at the New York Marathon is to compete for the title of Top American, where she is among the favorites alongside Dakotah Popehn.

At the U.S. Trials, Popehn finished just one place ahead of McClain, earning a spot on the regular roster. During the finals in Paris, the Americans finished in 12th place. Now, hot off her strong performance in the Summer Games, Popehn will once again clash against Jessica McClain on the WMM course.

However, the USATF Championships winner is confident in her abilities. “Eyes are on first American, but I really want to stay true to myself in the race and make smart decisions.” McClain told CITIUS Mag about her chances.

The New York Marathon debutant was also cautiously optimistic. “I know it can get tough if the pack decides to go at mile ten, and I’m not quite ready for it,” the runner added. So only time will tell if the self-coached athlete can pull up yet another highlight reel performance in New York.