Why the Olympic Marathon Trials Will Be the Best Race to Watch This Year
On February 29, the best male and female marathoners in the nation will compete in Atlanta for the chance to represent Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics. The top three men and women in each race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials will advance to the Olympic marathon, which is scheduled for August 8 and 9 in Sapporo, Japan.
This year’s event is especially exciting because of its enormous field size, particularly in the women’s race. During the qualifying window of September 1, 2017 through January 19, 2020, a record 771 runners (260 men and 511 women) qualified for Trials. To put that in perspective, only 457 total qualified for the 2016 Trials in Los Angeles.
Even if not all of the qualifiers show up—perhaps due to pregnancy, injury, or retirement—you can bet the race will still be packed. Pros like Des Linden, Sara Hall, Molly Huddle, and Emily Sisson are highlighting the women’s race, while the men’s race will feature Galen Rupp, Jared Ward, and rising star Leonard Korir.
This is going to be one race you won’t want to miss. Here’s everything you need to know about the marathon, including the top contenders, how to watch the race live on February 29, and details on the hilly Atlanta course.
Women’s Contenders | Men’s Contenders
How to Watch | Know the Course
In the women’s race, Jordan Hasay has the fastest qualifying time and says she’s healthy after being injured in the fall. But she’s far from a sure thing for a top-three finish. Linden, second in the last two Trials, is the most experienced and consistent marathoner in the field. But some have wondered how driven she is to make her third Olympic team, especially after she announced she’ll run the Boston Marathon seven weeks later.
Others to watch: Molly Huddle, the U.S. record holder in the half marathon, hasn’t run a marathon on par with her stellar resume at shorter distances. But she’s perhaps the best competitor in the field, having won a spot on every national team she’s vied for since 2011. Another veteran, Sara Hall, improved her PR to 2:22 in the fall, but lacks the consistency of many others in the field.
Huddle’s training partner, Emily Sisson, debuted in 2:23 last spring in London, and is good at racing for place. Another relatively inexperienced marathoner to watch is Emma Bates, who debuted in 2:28 in 2018 and lowered her PR to 2:25 in October. Runners early in their marathon career who are rapidly improving have often made the U.S. marathon team.
In the men’s race, 2016 bronze medalist Rupp should be a lock. But between major surgery in 2018 and the doping ban of his long-time coach, Alberto Salazar, he might be more vulnerable than usual. Although Rupp’s 2016 teammate Ward is probably the safest pick for a team spot, it would still be surprising if Rupp, who tuned up with a half marathon win three weeks before the Trials, doesn’t finish in the top three.
Leonard Korir set the U.S. debut marathon record of 2:07:56 in October. With his only marathon experience consisting of starting at 2:06 pace and then hanging on, the expected slow early pace should feel like a training run to him. Scott Fauble dropped his PR from 2:12 to 2:09 while finishing as the top American in Boston in April. He’ll have the confidence to cover any moves.
Behind those big four are a slew of men who have run between 2:10 and 2:12 in the past year. Any of them could contend for the top three, but will need a career day and for some of the big four to flounder.
How to Watch the Olympic Marathon Trials
For those who aren’t in Atlanta to watch, don’t worry—we’ve laid out how to view the race wherever you are. On Trials weekend, be sure to check back on Runner’s World for race recaps, highlights, athlete interviews, and more.
What: 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
When: The men’s race kicks off at 12:03 p.m. ET and the women’s race at 12:13 p.m. on February 29, 2020.
Where: Atlanta
How to watch: The race will be broadcasted live on NBC from noon to 3 p.m. ET. You can also stream the event on NBC Gold’s Track and Field Pass ($99 per year).
Why watch: This is the race that determines who makes the U.S. Olympic marathon team headed to Tokyo this summer. The top three men and women in each race (plus an alternate for each gender) will advance to the Games.
A Look at the Course
The course features three hilly eight-mile loops through the city plus a final 2.2-mile loop to the finish in Centennial Park. If you’re lucky enough to be spectating the race, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see your favorite runners along a two-mile stretch on Peachtree Street Northeast, which the field with run through six times. (For a more detailed look at the course, here’s our detailed guide.)
Photo Credits: Getty Images; Kevin Morris: Bruce, Hasay, Kipyego (inset), Llano, McMillon (inset), Sisson (inset), Stinson, Thweatt (inset), Tuliamuk (inset); PhotoRun: Abdiraham, Derrick, Lagat, Riley, Tuliamuk; Angie Smith: Bates (inset); Amy Wolff: McMillon
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