Tracksmith wrote:
Introducing Tracksmith Stamata – a women’s marathon team led by 8-time trials qualifier, Stephanie Bruce. Dedicated to supporting aspiring female athletes in their pursuit of qualifying for the 2028 U.S. marathon team trials, the program provides hands-on support, mentorship, and resources to empower the next generation of women marathoners in their remarkable journey to the starting line.
The Namesake
The marathon was one of 43 events of the Athens Games in 1896. At the starting line, a Greek woman named Stamata Revithi was denied a chance to run with the field of men. The next day, she ran the full course alone, finishing in 5 hours, 30 minutes. Although unofficial, Stamata was the first woman to complete the marathon distance.
ROAD TO 2028
The OTQ
The marathon trials are a defining goal for serious runners across the country – most of them amateurs – who dedicate themselves to elite training while balancing full-time careers, families, and everyday responsibilities. With persistence and passion, making it to the trials represents more than a direct path to the ultimate international arena; to qualify is to join the top tier of American marathoners.
The team will come together several times a year for dedicated training camps and strategic OTQ attempts. Each spring and fall, we’ll select a targeted race where the team collectively focuses on striving toward the sub-2:37:00 time goal. In 2025, our target race will be California International Marathon.
At the heart of these efforts is Stephanie Bruce. As a mentor and pacer, Stephanie will guide the group at OTQ pace, using her experience and leadership to help her teammates stay on track and push toward their qualifying goals.
Team Member Support
Training Camps
We’ll aim to bring all the women together twice a year for 4-7 days in the buildup to each bi-annual targeted race. For those who are flexible and interested in attending an additional altitude camp, there will also be an opportunity to train with Steph Bruce in Flagstaff.
More info and a team application can be found here:
