U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials: 12 Runners To Watch
- By Mario Fraioli
- Published Jan. 11, 2012
- Updated Jan. 11, 2012 at 7:22 PM UTC
Desiree Davila
Four years ago Desiree Davila was happy to qualify for the Olympic Trials. This time around, anything short of a spot on the team would be a disappointment. Photo: PhotoRun.net
The fastest qualifier in the women’s field by way of her 2:22:38, second-place finish at last year’s Boston Marathon, Davila has quickly established herself as one of the top marathoners in the country. The Rochester Hills, Michigan-based runner has come a long way since she finished 13th in 2:37:50 at the 2008 Trials in Boston. In 2011 she ran personal bests at every distance from 5K to the marathon, and is one of the leading contenders to finish in the top-3 in Houston. Davila has said she is a “completely different athlete” than she was four years ago.
FILED UNDER: Features / Inside The Magazine / Race Coverage TAGS: Amy Hastings / Brett Gotcher / Dathan Ritzenhein / Deena Kastor / Desiree Davila / Galen Rupp / Jason Hartmann / Kara Goucher / Magdalena Lewy-Boulet / Meb Keflezighi / Race Preview / Ryan Hall / Shalane Flanagan / U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
Mario Fraioli
Mario Fraioli is a senior editor at Competitor magazine. A cross-country All-American at Stonehill College in 2003, he now coaches the Prado Women's Racing Team in San Diego and was the men's marathon coach for Costa Rica's 2012 Olympic team. His first book, The Official Rock 'n' Roll Guide To Marathon & Half-Marathon Training (VeloPress, 2013) is available in bookstores, running shops and online.