Fiona O'Keeffe Makes a Record-Breaking Debut at U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
In a stunning performance, Fiona O'Keeffe shattered the women's U.S. Olympic marathon trials record in her very first attempt at the distance. The event took place on a warm Saturday in Orlando and marked O'Keeffe's successful qualification for the Paris Games.
O'Keeffe crossed the finish line with an incredible time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 10 seconds, surpassing the previous American marathon trials record set by Shalane Flanagan in 2012. Flanagan's record stood at 2:25:38, but O'Keeffe's exceptional performance surpassed all expectations.
Securing the second position was Emily Sisson, the current U.S. marathon record holder, further affirming her prowess in the sport. Meanwhile, Dakotah Lindwurm clinched the third spot, cementing her place on Team USA for the upcoming Paris Games.
On the men's side, Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, who are training partners and close friends, finished first and second, respectively, solidifying their positions in the Paris Olympics. The two athletes celebrated alongside the enthusiastic crowd on their way to the finish line. Mantz completed the marathon with a time of 2:09:05, while Young finished just a second behind.
Leonard Korir made an impressive surge towards the end of the race, securing the third spot among the men. However, he now faces an anxious wait until May to discover if a third Olympic spot will be unlocked for the American men's marathon team. Korir's finish time of 2:09:57 fell slightly short of the required time of 2:08:10 needed to guarantee his participation in the much-anticipated Paris Games.
The race took place under warm conditions, with temperatures soaring into the 70s. Given weather concerns, the time of the race had been moved up to 10 a.m. from its original schedule. With the temperature hovering around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 Celsius) at the start, it proved to be a challenging test for all participants.
For Fiona O'Keeffe, the unexpected nature of her exceptional finish left her in awe. In a postrace interview, she expressed her surprise, stating, 'I was not expecting this performance. I had to pinch myself with eight miles to go and be like: 'Stay calm. Don't freak out.''
Emily Sisson's second-place finish was a redemption of sorts, as she had dropped out late in the race during the marathon trials in Atlanta back in February 2020. Dakotah Lindwurm, who previously played ice hockey as a goaltender in her high school team in Minnesota, spent time in Florida acclimating herself to the warm weather in preparation for the trials.
Unfortunately, Molly Seidel, the Olympic bronze medalist from Tokyo, could not participate due to a knee injury, bringing a hint of disappointment to the event.
Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, both former teammates at Brigham Young University, demonstrated fantastic teamwork throughout the race. The two athletes steadily pulled away from the competition with just three miles remaining. Young even turned his hat around, and later discarded it entirely, showcasing their determination to excel.
Young, who had undergone knee surgery a year ago, raised his arms in the final stretch, energizing the cheering crowd and soaking in the thrilling atmosphere.
Galen Rupp, the two-time defending U.S. marathon trials champion, finished in 16th place, while Abdi Abdirahman, a 47-year-old athlete attempting to make his sixth Olympic team, dropped out during the race.
The marathon course in Orlando comprised a 2 1/2-mile loop followed by three eight-mile loops on a relatively flat track, giving the runners a fair and challenging experience.
These remarkable performances at the U.S. Olympic marathon trials have set the stage for an exciting showdown in Paris. As the athletes embark on their final preparations, the world eagerly awaits their extraordinary feats on the grand stage of the Olympics.
