George Harris
Feb 04, 2024 - 12:15

Fiona O'Keeffe Wins U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and Qualifies for Paris

Julie Mazziotta is the Sports Editor at PEOPLE, covering everything from the NFL to tennis to Simone Biles and Tom Brady.

Julie Mazziotta is the Sports Editor at PEOPLE, covering a wide range of sports and athletes, including the NFL, tennis, Simone Biles, and Tom Brady. She has extensive experience in sports journalism, having previously worked as an Associate Editor for the Health vertical for six years and at Health Magazine. In addition to her professional work, she is an avid amateur athlete, training for marathons, long bike trips, and hikes.

Fiona O'Keeffe made history at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, breaking records and securing a surprise victory in her marathon debut. Despite her relative inexperience, O'Keeffe's exceptional performance earned her a time of 2:22:10, setting a new Trials record and becoming the youngest woman to win since Joan Benoit Samuelson in 1984. Her victory was a remarkable achievement, given that she had only qualified for the Trials with a half marathon time.

Following closely behind O'Keeffe was Emily Sisson, the current American marathon record-holder, who finished in 2:22:42. Rounding out the top three was Dakotah Lindwurm, who secured the final Olympic spot with a time of 2:25:02. The trio will represent the U.S. in Paris at the 2024 Olympic Games, marking a significant milestone in their athletic careers.

On the men's side, Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, training partners, displayed remarkable teamwork throughout the race. Mantz ultimately crossed the finish line first, with Young close behind, and Leonard Korir secured the third spot. While the U.S. women have secured all three spots for the Olympic marathon, the men will have to wait until May to find out if they have earned the third slot based on international rankings.

Reflecting on her win, O'Keeffe expressed her disbelief at her performance, emphasizing the need to stay calm and composed during the race. Her journey from an amateur athlete to an Olympic marathon contender is a testament to her dedication and hard work, inspiring athletes and fans alike.