Four years away from the sport is an eternity for a professional runner. But Shelby Houlihan just proved that she’s still got the wheels.
On Feb. 1, at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., Houlihan made her return to competition after serving a four-year doping suspension.
And she didn’t just show up—she dominated.
Racing against a field of collegiate athletes, the 31-year-old ran 8:31.56 in the 3,000m, securing the win and setting a new meet and facility record in the process. She even lapped all but one of her competitors.
For someone who hadn’t raced in a sanctioned event since 2021, Houlihan’s performance sent a clear message: she’s still in top form, and she’s ready to compete at the highest level once again.
A Controversial Comeback
Houlihan’s return obviously isn’t without baggage. The former Nike Bowerman Track Club star was banned in 2021 after testing positive for nandrolone, an anabolic steroid. She has consistently maintained that the failed test was due to a contaminated pork burrito, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld her suspension. The ban meant she missed the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, along with multiple World Championships.
During those four years, Houlihan didn’t have a coach or a team, but she never stopped training. She reportedly logged up to 85 miles per week, waiting for her chance to toe the line again. And now that she’s back, she isn’t easing in—she’s going all in.
Read more about her ban and return to competition HERE.
The Race That Announced Her Return
Houlihan’s performance at Razorback was nothing short of impressive. With 2023 U.S. steeplechase champion Krissy Gear pacing her through the first 1,400 meters, she stayed steady with 200-meter splits between 33 and 35 seconds. When Gear stepped off, Houlihan took control, gradually turning up the pace. Her final lap was a blistering 31.44 seconds—faster than many elite milers close their races.
In a text to Runner’s World after the race, she admitted to feeling rusty but was happy with her time. “I was really nervous going into it, but it felt really good to get back out there. I felt a little rusty but also, very strong.”
Her time of 8:31.56 is the eighth-fastest ever run by an American woman indoors, just five seconds off her personal best from 2020. Interestingly, Nikki Hiltz, the current U.S. #2 in the 1500m behind Houlihan, had clocked an 8:32.52 just the day before. That means the stage is set for a potentially fascinating rivalry in the coming months.
What’s Next for Houlihan?
While she made a big statement in her first race back, Houlihan isn’t stopping here. She’s already scheduled to race again on February 8 in the mile at the Bruce Lehane Scarlet & White Invitational in Boston.
Her ultimate goal? Breaking records and making a U.S. national team. In a recent podcast interview, she said, “I want to go after as many records as I can. That’s the thought I have in my head. I don’t care if it’s the 800, the marathon, road, indoor, outdoor, like off-distance. I want to just see what I’m capable of.”
It’s an ambitious goal, especially given how much the sport has evolved in the last four years. The global middle-distance scene is faster than ever, with Faith Kipyegon setting world records in both the 1500m and 5000m. Domestically, the U.S. has seen new stars emerge, including Elise Cranny, Josette Andrews, and Sinclaire Johnson.
A Second Chance or an Unfair Advantage?
Not everyone is thrilled about Houlihan’s return. Some believe that even if she served her ban, the effects of past doping could still give her an advantage. Others argue that she was unfairly penalized in the first place and deserves the chance to prove herself again.
Regardless of where you stand, one thing is undeniable: Shelby Houlihan is back, and she’s still fast. Whether she can reclaim her place at the top of U.S. distance running remains to be seen, but if her first race back is any indication, she’s not here to just participate and race again—she’s here to win.
