New U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Start Time Announced After Athletes Raise Concerns

Mallory Arnold
·2 min read

This article originally appeared on Outside

After dozens of elite American runners complained about the proposed midday start time of the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon on February 3 in Orlando, Florida, USA Track & Field (USTAF) and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission announced this morning that the Trials start time will be moved back to 10:00 A.M. ET.

This decision came to fruition in part because of the many athletes who voiced their concerns about the noon start time. Immediately following the 12:10 P.M. start time announcement, a letter was written by athletes Sara Hall, Colleen Quigley, Jared Ward, and Emma Grace Hurley voicing the "Increased risk to athletes' health prompted by a noon start time." 84 athletes signed the letter, requesting the Trials start at 6:00 A.M. In October, a group of elite U.S. marathon runners met with USATF CEO Max Siegel to discuss the same concerns

After alternatives were discussed over the past two weeks, a compromise was announced today. The start time has been moved to the earlier time, and contingency plans have been set up should projected weather conditions deem that necessary.

In a press release, Chief of Sport and Athlete Services at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Rocky Harris, says that he only wishes to support the athletes as best as he can.

"By making this adjustment in the starting time, we underline our collective commitment with USATF to support our athletes in their quest for excellence," he says. "We’ve listened to their feedback and acted accordingly, aiming to create conditions that foster peak performance. Our ultimate goal is to provide opportunities for athletes to truly shine on their journey to represent Team USA at Paris 2024."

While the new suggested time isn't what the athletes initially proposed in their petition ("Preferably at 6:00 a.m., but no later than 7:00 A.M.), it's a compromise. In 2022, February temperatures around 10:00 A.M. averaged about 70 degF, and 80 degF at noon.

The U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon will serve as the qualifying race for the U.S. athletes who will run in next summer's Paris Olympics.

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