At the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in 2024, 160 elite women will compete for a berth on the U.S. Olympic Team in the heart of Orlando, Florida, on February 3. The nation’s representatives in the August 11 Paris Olympics marathon will be the top three finishers who beat the strict qualification times of 2:29:30 for the full marathon and 1:12:00 for the half. In a shortened, fierce bout, it’s a demonstration of unmatched athletic prowess and the chase of Olympic goals.
There are about 20 runners of color in the women’s marathon race this year, representing an amazing 13 percent of the field. This represents an eight-minute improvement over the former Olympic qualifying cycle. The statistics for USA Track & Field show that this varied group is dedicated to representing their communities as well as achieving Olympic success. In our interviews with eight of these incredible women, we learned more about their perspectives as national leaders and community advocates and what running a marathon means to them.
More Entertaining Olympic trials
Introducing Sara Passani, a 30-year-old powerhouse working for a Los Angeles-based private equity business. With ease, this former NCAA DIII All-American made the switch from boardrooms to the world of elite marathon runners. 2020 Trials qualification was only the start for Sara; in 2022, she broke the 2024 record with a seven-minute PR of 2:34:33 in the California International Marathon. Passani’s biography is an encouraging example of success on both fronts, combining business savvy with physical prowess.
Passani said; “I think it’s promising that a greater proportion of women of color have qualified and are participating in the Trials, especially in light of the more difficult qualifying standards,” an article from women’s running mentioned.
Erika Kemp, 29, stunned the world by winning the Boston Marathon in 2023 in a time of 2:33:57, becoming the fastest Black female marathoner born in the United States. She played a stellar collegiate career at North Carolina State before becoming a Providence, Rhode Island-based pro sponsored by Brooks.
Kemp is a fervent supporter of more participation of women of color in the running community, even beyond setting records. She had won the U.S. 15K championship in 2019 and the U.S. 20K championship in 2021 before her marathon victory. Every step is a step toward a more inclusive future for competitive running, not just a step towards a race.
Cover Photo: IG