US Olympic marathon trials must fill Brits with envy

In contrast to the dramatic sudden death nature of Saturday’s American event in Orlando, British runners have been racing around the world to qualify for Paris

After months of hard training, anticipation and heated discussions about the start time of the races, the US Olympic Team Trials takes place on Saturday (Feb 3) in Orlando, Florida. The event features the traditional American-style cut-throat selection system with a prize pot of $600,000 and television coverage on NBC and Peacock. With places on the plane to Paris at stake, it promises to be a riveting spectacle.

Not for the first time, the British distance running world will be watching from afar with envy. In comparison with the US system, the closest thing that Brits have to a trial is the London Marathon on April 21. Given this, British runners have been trying to impress in a variety of events around the world.

So far, Brits who have beaten the Olympic standards of 2:08:10 (men) and 2:26:50 during the qualification window include:

Charlotte Purdue – 2:22:17, Berlin 2023
Calli Thackery – 2:22:17, New York, 2023
Rose Harvey – 2:23:21, Chicago 2023
Clara Evans – 2:25:04, Valencia 2023
Lily Partridge – 2:25:12, Valencia 2023
Sam Harrison – 2:25:59, London 2023
Natasha Wilson (née Cockram) – 2:26:14, Valencia 2022
Georgina Schweining – 2:26:28 – Valencia 2022
Emile Cairess – 2:08:07, London 2023

In addition, Phil Sesemann and Mahamed Mahamed fell just outside the qualifying mark at the Valencia Marathon in December with Sesemann due to have another crack in Seville on February 18. Others, like Marc Scott, have yet to throw their hat into the ring.

In its selection policy for Paris 2024, UK Athletics says: “For the avoidance of doubt there will be no trial for the marathon.”

The first selection meeting is on February 19 with a second round the day after London Marathon on April 22. So whereas London will probably be the most important and decisive trial race, it is not the absolute and only trial.

This hasn’t always been the case. In the run-up to the delayed Tokyo Olympics, a standalone marathon trial was held at Kew Gardens in south-west London in March 2021. It proved a great success, too, with races won by Steph Davis and Chris Thompson, with the latter appearing on BBC’s evening news that day due to the dramatic nature of his victory coming just days after the birth of his son and a month before his 40^th birthday.

Chris…