2028 Olympic Marathon Trials Standards are Here: 2:16:00 for Men, 2:37:00 for Women

wejo · 2025-06-02T12:20:44-04:00

Qualifying window opens September 1, 2025 so get out there and start training!The women's time is the same as in 2024, the men's time dropped 2 minutes from 2:18 to 2:16.These are the "B" standards (so no guaranteed travel).Thoughts? Press release here: USA Track & Field (USATF) announced today the qualification standards for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon, which includes the return to ‘A’ and ‘B’ standards to prioritize full fields and a move to chip times for qualification. The men’s entry (‘B’) standard has been lowered by two minutes from 2:18:00 in 2024 to 2:16:00 in 2028, while the women’s standard will remain at 2:37:00. Both standards were set based on data from the 2024 Olympic Trials qualification period with a goal of roughly 200-athlete fields in 2028. Those who achieve the ‘A’ standards–which are to be determined at a later date in coordination with the local organizing committee–will receive travel and accommodation funding. New for 2028, all qualifying times for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon will be taken from an athlete's chip time rather than gun time. The shift is designed to standardize marks, improve accuracy and provide a more equitable qualification process for runners who don’t have access to an elite starting line. These changes come following multiple town hall meetings in which the Long Distance Running (LDR) Committees—a majority athletes including nine Olympians—listened to feedback from athletes, coaches, and agents to establish qualification procedures that best prioritize athletes’ needs. “We’re thrilled to see the work of the LDR committees come to fruition as we introduce the qualifying procedures for the 2028 Trials,” said USATF Director of Long Distance Running Programs and 2008 Olympian Amy Begley. “The standards and qualifying window were formed with direct feedback from athletes, coaches, and agents at the front of mind with the goal of creating an environment that prioritizes athletes’ performance needs. We’ve had such a surge of young, record-breaking talent on the roads in recent years and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2028.” The qualifying window for athletes to clock the standard in an eligible race opens on September 1, 2025, and closes 60 days prior to the date of the Trials in 2028. A ‘Road to Trials’ qualification list to track those who have hit the standard in an eligible race will be available when the qualification window opens. “As we look ahead to the 2028 Olympic Trials, we are extremely excited to know that we’ll have best-in-class qualification standards to help ensure that full fields toe the line in both the men’s and women’s races,” said USATF CEO Max Siegel. “We are committed to delivering a world-class and unforgettable experience for competitors and fans while we select the marathon squad who will represent the U.S. in the first home Games of the millennium.” Additional opportunities for qualification are outlined here: https://www.usatf.org/events/2028/2028-u-s-olympic-team-trials-%E2%80%93-marathon/2028-u-s-olympic-team-trials-%E2%80%93-marathon-qualificat

Pro News/Info/Results

Reply New New Thread

Moderation Moderation Information Moderation Information & Rules

Page 8 of 8

1 7 8

Next Last

7 months ago 10/21/2025 11:45pm EDT

re: Ultra Bear

Ultra Bear wrote:
I'm a British 2.24 marathoner, who believes that I could do 2:19 marathon with a perfect block/perfect day.
I'm jealous of the OTQ and if I were American, that would be my North Star goal. With these times though, I'd feel deflated, it's too much of a jump. So I agree with people who think they're too harsh. Lots of field don't have a chance in hell at Olympics but I don't think that's all that matters.
Id be in the camp of extending it out to 500+ athletes. It being like 4 yearly version of London Marathon Biritsh Championship, not just Olympic qualification but something for sub elites, weekend warriors and master dad's of 3 to aspire too.
On a practical level, introduce a C standard. For men that would be roughly 2:16-2:20 and women 2:37-2:44 say. C standard has to pay race entry/contribution.
Good luck to those who feel they have more than 0.5% of a 2:16. Probably brings a bit of excitement having such a rigid goal to aim at.

I wish we had something similar in the UK, even if the standard was as tough as a sub 2:16. I ran 2:17 a couple of weeks ago and I know I can shave off a couple of minutes in the next 6-12 months (and fully plan to), but unfortunately UKA don’t provide any incentive to keep chipping away at your time unless if you’re a one in a million talent who will actually represent team GB in the Olympics

Having an Olympic trials here would be fantastic, though our standard would need to be much softer considering only 14 men have gone sub 2:16 so far this year

7 months ago 10/22/2025 12:21am EDT

re: 951Mike

951Mike wrote:
Gremlin wrote:
Just for fun, who are your top 3 American men at the moment?
Conner Mantz
Clayton Young
Biya Simbassa
Then probably:
Wesley Kiptoo
Would like to see what Alex Maier can do at NYC? Klecker could have a breakthrough finally at 26.2. I beleive Charles Hicks also running NYC
Matthew Richtman is kind of a mystery again.
Ford, Colley, and Rupp ran decent, but too many bunched together to make any separation. Reed Fischer could have been sub 2:10 at Chicago as well.
Then we have Aidan Troutner with an impressive debut. Wow didn't realize CJ doubled back from Worlds that quick, what an animal. Have to give Colin Micknow a shout, coming into good form after getting 6th at Chicago way back in 2021 and now running mid 2:11.
Other mysteries at the moment: Lenny Korir, Zach Panning, and Sam Chelenga
CJ has run 8 marathons in 13 months or so. Dude needs to relax. #QualityNotQuantity

WAAAAAAAy To Early Olympic Marathon Trials Predictions

1. Graham Blanks

2. Connor Mantz

3. Biya Simbassa

4. Hillary Bor

Women

1. Weini Kelati

2. Betsy Saina

3. Erika Kenp

4. Keira D'Amato

This post was edited 7 minutes after it was posted. Reason provided: add

7 months ago 10/22/2025 12:52pm EDT

re: douglas burke

Would be shocked if Keira finishes top 20 if she even finishes

7 months ago 10/22/2025 1:42pm EDT

re: douglas burke

douglas burke wrote:
951Mike wrote:
CJ has run 8 marathons in 13 months or so. Dude needs to relax. #QualityNotQuantity
WAAAAAAAy To Early Olympic Marathon Trials Predictions
1. Graham Blanks
2. Connor Mantz
3. Biya Simbassa
4. Hillary Bor
Women
1. Weini Kelati
2. Betsy Saina
3. Erika Kenp
4. Keira D'Amato

I like it, I did forget about Bor. Although Blanks could be a good marathoner someday, I think he'll stick to 5/10k for LA trials. BUT Fisher has mentioned in an interview or two he might look to pull the marathon/10k double like Rupp did

7 months ago 10/22/2025 4:28pm EDT

re: Gremlin

Gremlin wrote:
douglas burke wrote:
WAAAAAAAy To Early Olympic Marathon Trials Predictions
1. Graham Blanks
2. Connor Mantz
3. Biya Simbassa
4. Hillary Bor
Women
1. Weini Kelati
2. Betsy Saina
3. Erika Kenp
4. Keira D'Amato
I like it, I did forget about Bor. Although Blanks could be a good marathoner someday, I think he'll stick to 5/10k for LA trials. BUT Fisher has mentioned in an interview or two he might look to pull the marathon/10k double like Rupp did

I've been wondering if Fisher uses next year, with no championships, to try the roads a bit even if he just goes to the 1/2 marathon to test the waters.

7 months ago 10/22/2025 4:32pm EDT

re: marathon pacer

marathon pacer wrote:
Gremlin wrote:
I like it, I did forget about Bor. Although Blanks could be a good marathoner someday, I think he'll stick to 5/10k for LA trials. BUT Fisher has mentioned in an interview or two he might look to pull the marathon/10k double like Rupp did
I've been wondering if Fisher uses next year, with no championships, to try the roads a bit even if he just goes to the 1/2 marathon to test the waters.

Grant could go sub 63 and debut at the marathon for the trials and get that Olympic spot

7 months ago 10/22/2025 4:33pm EDT

re: wejo

Big drop for the men , that’s getting pretty selective. Surprised they kept the women’s the same based on the fast times from last year. Should make for some fast races early in the window.

On another note, I’ve developed Split AI, a completely free AI running coach that gives personalized tips that you could use for training questions when you are working on your progress. It only takes a few seconds to sign up, and once you do you can immediately use the coach that has been trained using runners of every level. If you’re interested, you can check it out here:
https://split-ai.onrender.com/

Page 8 of 8

1 7 8

Next Last

What People Are Talking About On LetsRun

No top threads at the moment. Check back soon.

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

2028 Olympic Marathon Trials Standards are Here: 2:16:00 for Men, 2:37:00 for Women

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

2028 Olympic Marathon Trials Standards are Here: 2:16:00 for Men, 2:37:00 for Women

Jump To A Page

Follow douglas burke

Block douglas burke

Follow milesnsmiles

Block milesnsmiles

Follow Gremlin

Block Gremlin

Follow Gremlin

Block Gremlin

Follow HoldenEagle

Block HoldenEagle

Jump To A Page

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.