On March 1, 2010, representatives from the United States Olympic Committee, USA Track & Field, and the Houston Marathon Committee joined Houston Mayor Annise Parker at City Hall to announce that the city of Houston will host the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon for both men and women on January 14, 2012 at 8:00 a.m., CT. 

 

As we approach the one-year anniversary of that announcement, a great deal of work has been completed in preparation for 2012. Last month, our local organizing committee hosted the 2011 USA Half Marathon Championships. The races were conducted on the proposed 2012 Olympic Trials course that was designed to replicate the 8-mile loop course in London that will host the top marathon runners worldwide at the 2012 Olympic Games.

 

With the wonderful support of the City of Houston and its public safety agencies, as well as our volunteers, neighborhood associations, and running community, we were able to host a successful event and conduct a dress rehearsal for 2012. Thousands of fans were at the finish line to watch both races and enjoy the beautiful setting in downtown Houston. 

 

Our collective experiences this year will prove to be invaluable as we make the necessary improvements for when Houston will be put on center stage to kickoff the road to London for all Olympic hopefuls. We are looking forward to seeing the entire community line our course. 

 

Thank you for your support, and please visit our website to learn more about volunteer opportunities, 2012 participant registration, the Run for a Reason program and sponsorship opportunities.

Athlete Spotlight:
Stephanie Rothstein

With her 2:29:35, a 10-minute personal record in her second marathon, at the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 30, Stephanie Rothstein, 27, from Flagstaff, Arizona had a breakthrough race. She placed third overall against an international field and produced the second fastest U.S. women's time ever at Houston (and fastest U.S. time of the year to date). Moreover, the Team USA Arizona member now has the 4th-fastest qualifier for the 2012 Olympic Trials Marathon to be hosted by Houston. In one race, she went from Olympic "hopeful" to true Olympic hopeful.

 

Rothstein's back story is quite interesting. The All-American and 10,000 meter record holder at UC Santa Barbara looked to have a bright future in the sport. She had talent and drive, but was felled by celiac disease two years ago. Rothstein got healthy again and later moved to Flagstaff from Eugene, Ore. to join Team USA Arizona and Coach Greg McMillan.  

 

In September 2010, she finished runner-up at the USA 20K Championships in New Haven to herald her return to competition as well as foreshadowing her impressive Houston performance.

 

During her recovery, Rothstein and friend and national 5000m champion Lauren Fleshman created Picky Bars which are gluten and dairy free. For the Picky Bars story, go to www.pickybars.com. 

 

Post-race in Houston, she aptly summarized her experience: "This is a dream becoming reality." Indeed.

Did you know? Stephanie will celebrate her 28th birthday on January 14, the same day as the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials.

 

Find out more about Stephanie at www.teamusaarizona.com.

Trials Flashback  

 

The First Olympic Trials

1968 Alamosa, CO

 

At altitude to prepare for Mexico City, Olympic steeplechaser George Young ran 2:30:49 to win the first stand-alone U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon race (and in his debut). It also was the first Olympic Trials race that was also a national marathon championship. It wasn't until the 1988 Olympic Trials and subsequent Olympic Trials, however, that the Trials were also designated as the national championship.

 

The 2012 Olympic Team Trials - Marathon in Houston will be the men's 12th Trials edition.

 

Houston is the first city to host both men's and women's races at the same Olympic Trials Marathon.

 

Below are the top 12 fastest men's and women's qualifying times as of Feb. 12, 2011:

 

MEN

 

No.	Time	Name	Event
1	2:08:41	Ryan Hall (CA)	2010 Boston Marathon
2	2:09:15	Meb Keflezighi (CA)	2009 New York City Marathon
3	2:10:00	Dathan Ritzenhein (OR)	2009 London Marathon
4	2:10:36	Brett Gotcher (AZ)	2010 Houston Marathon
5	2:11:06	Jason Hartmann (OR)	2010 Chicago Marathon
6	2:11:30	Nick Arciniaga (AZ)	2011 Houston Marathon
7	2:12:34	Jason Lehmkuhle (MN)	2010 Boston Marathon
8	2:13:00	Jorge Torres (CO)	2009 New York City Marathon
9	2:13:47	Antonio Vega (MN)	2010 Boston Marathon
10	2:13:51	Josh Cox (CA)	2009 California International Marathon
11	2:14:00	Abdi Abdirahman (AZ)	2009 New York City Marathon
12	2:14:02	Sergio Reyes (CA)	2010 Twin Cities Marathon
WOMEN
No.	Time	Name	Event
1	2:26:20	Desiree Davila (MI)	2010 Chicago Marathon
2	2:26:22	Magdalena Lewy Boulet (CA)	2010 Fortis Marathon Rotterdam
3	2:28:40	Shalane Flanagan (OR)	2010 New York City Marathon
4	2:29:35	Stephanie Rothstein (AZ)	2011 Houston Marathon
5	2:30:53	Tera Moody (CO)	2010 Chicago Marathon
6	2:31:01	Katie Mcgregor (MN)	2010 New York City Marathon
7	2:31:49	Ilsa Paulson (NY)	2009 Twin Cities Marathon
8	2:32:37	Colleen De Reuck (CO)	2009 Twin Cities Marathon
9	2:32:51	Zoila Gomez (CO)	2010 Chicago Marathon
10	2:33:22	Paige Higgins (AZ)	2010 Houston Marathon
11	2:35:02	Melissa White (MI)	2010 Chicago Marathon
12	2:35:06	Kristen Nicolini (MN)	2009 Twin Cities Marathon