olympic trials qualifying?

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olympic trials qualifying?

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

olympic trials qualifying? Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:39 am

I'm curious... anybody know how a runner gets into the Olympics? Not that I'm considering applying myself, but it's a topic I've never seen explained. I know in the US there are Olympic trials in order to see who actually goes to the games, but I don't know how they select who gets to compete in the Olympic trials. Are their other, preliminary qualifying events? Or do you just need to post a fast time in any open event? Theoretically, if I dropped an hour off my marathon time in my next race, would that be all that's needed?

OldManRunner
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Rochester, NY
Joined: 28 Nov 2004
Posts: 262

Re: olympic trials qualifying? Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:19 am

As far as I know, at least for the marathon, you just need to have posted a fast enough time on a certified course in order to be eligible to participate in the US Olympic Trials race. There are A and B qualifying standards. With A you get your travel and lodging expenses for coming to the Trials paid for, and with B you have to foot the bill yourself. As I recall, Ginger's mighty close to the women's B standard. For other shorter distances, maybe you do have to participate in and meet certain standards in regional qualifying events. I don't know. I think you should go for it Rickshaw!

ginger

Cambridge, MA
Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 46

Re: olympic trials qualifying? Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:45 pm

oldmanrunner is correct about the qualifying (and very generous, although not quite accurate, about my being close!) I don't think the USATF has made any formal announcement about the 2008 Olympic Trials, but assuming it's the same as 2004, then these are the approximate rules: - must run a qualifying time (2:40/2:48 are A/B for women, 2:20/2:22 for men) in the previous 2 years OR at the national championships 3 years before (this means that the US Nat'l Championships in 2005 - twin cities marathon - will be the only marathon in 2005 where one can qualify for the 2008 oly trials - so rickshaw if you cut an hour off your marathon time at your next race, unfortunately it wouldn't qualify you for the 2008 trials because it's only 2005.) - there are some special exceptions, like if you've medaled in the olympics you can run the trials any year you want - (and then if you're really good) in order to go to the olympics, you must finish in the top 3 at the trials and have run an "A" standard in the previous year or so. The full eligibility requirements (and more info) are here: http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/OlympicTrials-Marathon-Women/entry/qualifyingStandards.asp http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/OlympicTrials-Marathon-Men/entry/qualifyingStandards.asp

ginger

Cambridge, MA
Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 46

Re: olympic trials qualifying? Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:49 pm

oh one more thing - the 2008 trials might be in boston, the day before the 2008 boston marathon (on a different, faster, looped, just-in-Boston course) http://www.bostonmarathon.org/News.asp?NewsID=124

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: olympic trials qualifying? Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 9:03 pm

ginger wrote:
oldmanrunner is correct about the qualifying (and very generous, although not quite accurate, about my being close!)

Not at all... I plugged your most recent half-marathon time into the VDOT calcultor, and it predicts a marathon time of 2:53:28. The women's Olympic B standard is 2:48, so that's "only" 5:28 that you need to improve. You should go for it! You'd still probably get your butt kicked at the trials, but it would be pretty damn exciting just to be there and compete.

As for me, I'll get started on that 1 hour improvement training right away... :-)

ginger

Cambridge, MA
Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 46

Re: olympic trials qualifying? Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:12 pm

USATF has just announced the 2008 Olympic Trials qualifying standards .... http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-Marathon-Women/entry/qualifyingStandards.asp http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-Marathon-Men/entry/qualifyingStandards.asp They've lowered the women's A and B times by 1 minute, looks like they've left the men's the same.

Pretender
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Kansas, OK
Joined: 14 Dec 2004
Posts: 100

Re: olympic trials qualifying? Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 9:05 am

And I only need to shave around 4 hours off to qualify. No problem as long as they allow me to ride a bike. :o)

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