
The excitement is building as the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando, Florida, draw near.
Elite runners from across the nation will converge on the streets of Orlando with one common goal: securing a spot on Team USA for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The stakes are high, and the competition promises to be fierce, with past champions, rising stars, and seasoned veterans vying for the podium. Let’s delve into everything you need to know about this thrilling event.
Jump to:
- Schedule and How to Watch
- Course Map
- What About the Weather?
- Is there Prize Money?
- Complete Start Lists and Qualification Data
- Key Storylines: The Men’s Race
- Key Storylines: The Women’s Race
Race Day Schedule and How To Watch and Live Stream the Races
Start date:
Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024
Start Times:
Men’s race: 10:10 a.m. ET
Women’s race: 10:20 a.m. ET
How Do I Live Stream the Races?
The Marathon Trials will be live streamed on Peacock (find it here, but you must subscribe, and it’s 5.99 a month) from 10:00 a.m. ET. for American viewers only (the streaming service is geo-blocked outside of the U.S., and it seems to recognize when a VPN is being used).
Flotrack will also being carrying the live stream (find it here), and should be an option for those outside of the United States. Of course, you will also need to pay for a subscription to access the stream.
For more on the live stream and broadcast:
Can I Watch the Trials on TV?
A tape-delayed broadcast will air on NBC at 12:00 p.m. ET the same day.
Who’s On the Broadcast?
The NBC team will include veteran commentators Leigh Diffey (who did the 2020 Trials) and Lewis Johnson, along with retired marathoners Kara Goucher and Deena Kastor.
Will Marathon Handbook Be Covering the Event?
Our Marathon Handbook editors will be on-site in Orlando to bring you live updates and coverage. Check our homepage or follow this link on race day for our live blog.
Can I Track an Individual Athlete?
Yes. Here’s a link to the Trials individual athlete tracker.
Course Map
The course features flat loops through downtown Orlando, including a 2.2-mile mini-loop and three 8-mile circuits, promising a spectator-friendly experience.

Weather Considerations
ORLANDO WEATHERThe forecast looks to be around 62 F and sunny at the start line, which is considered hot for marathon racing, and will have a significant impact on both the times and predictability of individual performances.
Is There Prize Money?
This year, the USATF, which oversees the event, announced a significant prize purse totalling $600,000, making it one of the most lucrative marathons outside of the Marathon Majors. For more on the prize money breakdown:
Complete Start Lists and Qualification Data
Women’s Trails Qualifying Times: Sub-2:38:00 marathon or sub-1:12:00 half marathon
Women’s Marathon Entrants: 108
Men’s Trials Qualifying Times: Sub-2:18:00 marathon or sub-1:12:00 half marathon
Men’s Marathon Entrants: 173
We’ve compiled a complete list of the entrants expected to start the race on Saturday, along with other details, such as age, hometown, brand or club affiliation, personal best time and trials qualification time.
You can find the complete entry lists here:
Women’s Marathon | Men’s Marathon
Key Storylines to Watch For
The Men’s Race:
Uncertainty and Potential for Heartbreak
The men’s marathon is going to be a chaotic melodrama that’s bound to be debated and lack clarity well after the top three finishers cross the line in downtown Orlando.
Only two American runners have met the 2:08:10 Olympic A qualifying standard, making the selection process a blend of USATF and World Athletics rules. A combination of rankings points, “B” standards, and calculations following springtime races will determine the final team, potentially extending the decision until May.
Understanding Qualification Scenarios
Several scenarios may unfold based on the race outcomes:
- Top three all run 2:08:10 or faster: Simple, all three go to Paris. However, this is unlikely given the historical scarcity of sub-2:08:10 performances and that the weather in Orlando is bound to play a big role in the overall pace of the race.
- Top three have the “B” standard (2:11:30): Allocation is based on world ranking. If a U.S. athlete ranks inside the top 80 by May 5th, Team USA unlocks a third spot, meaning all three podium finishers in Orlando go to Paris.
- Top three lack the “B” standard: In this case, top two or three finishers with the “B” standard may be selected using descending order, allowing for potential surprises beyond the top three.

Menโs Contenders
Galen Rupp – The Reigning Champ
At 37, Galen Rupp aims for a third consecutive Olympic Trials win. Despite recent setbacks, including injuries and a 19th-place finish at the 2022 World Championships, Rupp remains a notable contender. His experience and past triumphs make him a name to watch. But he only has the “B” standard, just missing on the faster time when he qualified for the Trials last October in Chicago.
Conner Mantz and Clayton Young – A Dynamic Duo
Conner Mantz, with a swift 2:07:47 at the 2022 Chicago Marathon, emerges as a favorite. His training partner, Clayton Young, joins him as the only other runner with the Olympic A standard. Both hailing from Utah, their camaraderie and impressive performances make them a dynamic duo to watch.
CJ Albertson – The X-Factor
Known for his unconventional approach and high-mileage weeks, CJ Albertson adds an element of unpredictability to the race. His daring tactics and fearless racing style could potentially disrupt the plans of more conventional contenders. Albertson also only has the “B” standard, and has run two marathons already this spring just to get to the start line in Orlando.
Strong Lineup of Veterans
A group of consistent performers, including Scott Fauble, Elkanah Kibet, Nathan Martin, and Matt McDonald, brings a wealth of experience to the competition. These runners, with notable achievements in major marathons, aim to secure a spot on the Olympic team.
The Intriguing Debutant – Paul Chelimo
Similar to Galen Rupp in 2016, Paul Chelimo enters the marathon trials with no prior marathon experience but boasts an impressive track record. With a half marathon personal best of 1:02:19 (2019, New York) and a 10,000m silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Chelimo’s transition to the roads adds an element of curiosity to the race. But will he dare attempt sub-2:08:10 pace in his first crack at the distance?
Jared Ward and Shadrack Kipchirchir – The “What If?”
While not considered front-runners, the experience and past achievements of 2016 Olympians Jared Ward and Shadrack Kipchirchir cannot be disregarded. In the marathon, where unexpected outcomes are not uncommon, these seasoned athletes could spring surprises.
Abdi Abdirahman – The Age-Defier
At 47, Abdi Abdirahman’s participation adds a touch of inspiration to the race. A five-time Olympian, Abdirahman’s resilience and longevity in the sport deserve recognition.
Dark Horses and Upcoming Talents
An array of dark horses, including relative newcomers like Biya Simbassa, Jacob Thomson, Parker Stinson, and Nico Montanez, adds intrigue to the menโs race. Their untested potential could disrupt the established order.
The Women’s Race:
The women’s race promises a captivating battle of tactics featuring a mix of established stars, comeback stories, and rising talents.
Of the 108 women entered, 14 have the run the “A” standard of 2:26:50, which should simplify the selection process. So long as the top three finishers have already run better than the Olympic standard during the qualification period, then they should be selected to race in Paris.
If an athlete who did not run under 2:26:50 makes the podium in Orlando, the situation becomes more complex, although the American women’s team has “unlocked” all three of its spots for Paris, so the likelihood is strong that three women will be sent to represent the United States.
Unlike the men’s race, the women’s marathon could be a nail-biter, with a large lead pack. This could lead to wild tactics in the final few miles, and perhaps a sprint finish or two for those three podium spots.

Womenโs Contenders
Emily Sisson – The Record Holder
Emily Sisson, holding the American record with a time of 2:18:29 from the 2022 Chicago Marathon, enters as the favorite. Her impressive performances make her a formidable force in the quest for an Olympic team spot and it’s really her race to lose.
Keira D’Amato – The Comeback Sensation
Returning after a 10-year hiatus, Keira D’Amato stunned the running world with a 2:19:12 at the 2022 Houston Marathon. As the number two fastest American woman all-time, D’Amato is a compelling figure in the women’s field, and pairs with Sisson as the clear headlining talent at the front.
Betsy Saina – The Tokyo Marathon Star
Kenyan-born Betsy Saina, clocking 2:21:40 at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon, brings her speed and determination to the race. Overcoming challenges, including a post-pregnancy comeback, adds an inspiring narrative to her journey.
Sara Hall – The Marathon Veteran
Sara Hall, a veteran of the marathon scene, seeks another Olympic team berth. Her silver at the 2021 London Marathon and consistent performances make her a contender with valuable experience.
Molly Seidel and Aliphine Tuliamuk – The Olympic Medalists
Molly Seidel, a bronze medalist at Tokyo 2020, and Aliphine Tuliamuk, the winner of the last US Trials, bring Olympic pedigree to the race. Their track records make them strong contenders for a repeat Olympic appearance.
Jenny Simpson – A 1,500m Runner Turned Marathoner
Simpson went to three Olympics as a middle distance track runner, but recently pivoted to the roads at age 37. She qualified with a half marathon, so it’s unclear how she’ll fare over 26.2 miles, but she certainly knows how to race, and could be dangerous in a sprint to the finish line.
Weโll be on-site at the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials to bring you live updates beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, February 3. Find our live updates here on race morning.
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