Yesterday's Olympic Trials Marathon race was the first time ever four men ran under 2:10 in the Olympic Trials. It was the first time five women ran under 2:30 in the Olympic Trials.  The women’s top-three all have medaled in either New York, Boston or both. The men’s top three also boast experience as the oldest Olympic bound trio Team USA has ever sent on the men’s side with an average age of 33 and have a combined 9 Olympic appearances among them.

Official Quotes from Houston Marathon Committee:

Meb Keflezighi: “It’s an honor to be on the Olympic Team for the third time. The race started great. It was tough getting it down to as few people as possible. We got it down to five people and then said hey, let’s be on the team. With 3 guys with four or five miles to go, it was all about being on the team. It’s not about being first, second or third. I’m just delighted to be part of these guys to go to London. I’m honored to win this race but a lot of guys would be glad to be in our shoes and be on this team.”

Ryan Hall: “I was telling them after the race, I watched you guys making the 10k (Olympic) Team when I was in high school! They make me feel very young, and I’m 29. You realize what an honor it is to be on this team and what it takes to get here. The potential we have to go win medals is great. He (Meb) is going to be a great leader for us. The pace car was getting me riled up when I saw 2:06 up there for projected finish, and it got down to 2:05 once. It got increasingly windy and the concrete was kind of brutal on the quads.”

Abdi Abdirahman: “It has been a long journey for me. The last year and a half I struggled with injury. I’m also honored to be sitting here with these two great guys. I’ve been friends with Meb close to 20 years probably. Ryan took it out at 63 high (half marathon) pace and I felt good. Meb and I said let’s work together and make this team. Meb felt a little better these last two miles. This is going to be my fourth Olympics.”

Shalane Flanagan: “It was a huge day, I think one that all of us will remember. The last mile was a cross between savoring the moment and just being really grateful that I was almost done. I knew Desi was charging hard and I told myself I had to have one last gear if she came up on me. I tried to view it as a track race for the last mile. I didn’t really enjoy that last mile. It felt really long. I’m just grateful to be on the same team with these women.”

Desiree Davila: “Going into the last mile it was kind of this internal conflict where I really wanted to make a push and see what I had left. At the same time I knew Kara was right behind me, and Amy had made huge surges throughout the race. I couldn’t assume she had been dropped. My calves were just cramping up and ultimately I was like, finish it off and get the job done. I didn’t have enough confidence in being able to catch Shalane and I didn’t want to lose the spot I had.”

Kara Goucher: “I never really imagined myself winning this race based on my short period of training. I definitely ran outside of my fitness for a few miles trying to get away from Amy (Hastings). The last miles I was just hanging in there basically. I was really happy with the slow start.”

Amy Hastings: It was pretty solid through 20, then they just pulled away. I didn’t have quite enough left. I tried to fight back but it wasn’t there. It was an emotional last mile for sure.”

Photos by Dustin Whitlow for UjENA FIT Club  Quotes provided by Dave Ross for UjENA FIT Club

Offical Men's Results:

1. Meb Keflezighi    36     NYAC    2:09:08 
2. Ryan Hall    29      Asics   2:09:30    +0:22
3. Abdi Abdirahman    33      Nike    2:09:47   +0:39
4. Dathan Ritzenhein    29      Nike/Oregon Elite    2:09:55   +0:47
5. Brett Gotcher    27      McMillan Elite adidas    2:11:06   +1:58
6. Andrew Carlson    29      Brooks    2:11:24    +2:16
7. Fernando Cabada   29          2:11:53    +2:45
8. Nick Arciniaga 28 McMillan Elite adidas 2:11:56 +2:48
9. James Carney    33      New Balance   2:12:23    +3:15
10. Jimmy Grabow 38 adidas Legacy Run Racing 2:12:29 +3:21

Offical Women's Results:

1. Shalane Flanagan    30     Nike/OTC    2:25:38  
2. Desiree Davila    28      Hansons-Brooks    2:25:55    +0:17
3. Kara Goucher    33      Nike/OTC   2:26:06    +0:28
4. Amy Hastings    27      Brooks    2:27:07    +1:39
5. Janet Cherobon-Bawcom    33      Atlanta Track Club    2:29:45    +4:07
6. Deena Kastor    38      Asics    2:30:40    +5:02
7. Clara Grandt    24     RIADHA/Mizuno    2:30:46    +5:08
8. Alissa McKaig    25      Zap Fitness Reebok    2:31:56    +6:18
9. Dot McMahan    35      Hansons-Brooks   2:32:16    +6:38
10. Magdalena Lewy-Boulet    38      Saucony    2:33:42   +8:04