USA TRACK & FIELD ANNOUNCES STANDARDS FOR 2028 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS – MARATHON…

USA TRACK & FIELD ANNOUNCES STANDARDS FOR 2028 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS – MARATHON…

 

 

USA Track & Field (USATF) has officially released the qualifying standards for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon, marking the next step in the journey toward the Los Angeles Olympic Games. These standards establish the criteria that athletes must meet to compete in the highly anticipated Trials, scheduled to take place in early 2028.

The Trials serve as the primary selection event for the U.S. Olympic marathon team. Only the top three finishers in both the men’s and women’s races, provided they have met the Olympic qualifying standard or are ranked highly enough globally, will earn a spot on Team USA for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games.

Stricter Standards Reflect Rising Competition

USATF has tightened the qualifying marks compared to previous cycles, reflecting both the rising depth of talent in American distance running and the desire to align with evolving international standards. For the 2028 Trials, the automatic qualifying time for men has been set at 2:11:30, while the standard for women is 2:29:30.

In addition to these marathon time standards, USATF is also accepting half marathon qualifying performances. For men, the qualifying half marathon time is 1:03:00, while women must run 1:12:00 or faster. All qualifying performances must be achieved on USATF-certified courses between a designated qualifying window—expected to open in 2026—and the close of entries in 2027.

Changes Reflect Global Shifts

These changes come as World Athletics, the global governing body of track and field, continues to modify Olympic qualifying procedures. With world rankings playing a greater role in athlete selection and the marathon entry field capped at 80 athletes per gender, national governing bodies like USATF are under pressure to ensure their trials produce athletes who not only perform well domestically but are also competitive on the world stage.

By raising the bar, USATF hopes to ensure that Olympic qualifiers are capable of meeting international benchmarks and placing competitively in Los Angeles.

Opportunities for Development

Despite the stricter standards, USATF emphasized its commitment to supporting the development of up-and-coming marathon talent. The organization is working with race directors and athlete development programs to ensure there are ample competitive opportunities for athletes to achieve qualifying marks throughout the cycle.

Additionally, incentives may be offered for U.S.-only races to host fast courses designed to help athletes meet the Olympic Trials standards, as part of a broader effort to strengthen the American distance running pipeline ahead of a home Olympics.

Looking Ahead

The 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon will not only serve as a crucial selection event but also a showcase of American endurance talent on the road to Los Angeles. With the Games taking place on U.S. soil for the first time since 1996, expectations are high, and the Trials will undoubtedly draw attention from fans and athletes alike.

As the road to 2028 begins, these new standards set the tone for a competitive, high-stakes Olympic cycle.