New York to Houston to London 2012

The conditions were near perfect, the course was flat and looped—to hint at London 2012—and Team USA as well as Team NYRR (local NYRR-member runners who qualified for the Houston Olympic Trials) delivered on their promise to make us proud.

The women’s race was led by a strong lead pack from the start. Shalane Flanagan, who claimed the top spot, catapulted herself from Trials newbie to Trials hero, shaving more than four minutes off her PR to finish in 2:25:38. Her previous best was her second-place finish at the ING New York City Marathon 2010. Following closely on her heels today was Hansons-Brooks Distance Project runner Desiree Davila and fellow Oregon Track Club Elite teammate Kara Goucher, in 2:25:55 and 2:26:06, respectively.

“We’ve had a great journey together,” Flanagan said about training and racing with Goucher. “It’s going to get even better as we train for London.”

Meb Keflezighi, like Flanagan, will be competing in his third Olympic Games in London 2012. Today, his PR 2:09:08 was the fastest of three sub-2:10 performances in the men’s race. Ryan Hall led for much of the race, finishing in 2:09:30, while Abdi Abdirahman, the quiet hero, took third in 2:09:47.

Afterward Hall joked, “I remember watching these guys run when I was in high school.” Abdi and Meb were roommates at their first Olympic Games in 2000. This year, all three made a pact, with approximately five miles left in the race, “Let’s do this,” said Meb. “Let’s make the team.”

While the top six athletes earned the right to compete in London, fewer than 400 people nationwide qualified for the trials—and 12 of them were NYRR members! For these hometown heroes, toeing the line in Houston was the culmination of their Olympic dreams, and they relished their moment in the spotlight.

Matt Forys of the NYAC bubbled over with excitement on the eve of his first marathon, exclaiming “this is huge! I’ve run lots of races, but this is definitely the biggest.” Teammate Caroline LeFrak is a seasoned marathoner, and she opted for some quiet time before the race. “She threw me out,” said her husband, Jamie with a laugh. He was happy to oblige—but chose to turn in early because he and Ivan (the couple’s year-old son) had a big day of cheering ahead of them.

Brooklyn’s Kelly Chin also brought an entourage; she traveled with her fiancé, her coach, and several friends. John de Csepel, Chin’s fiancé, joked, “I’m not sure which she’s more excited for: the Trials, or our wedding!” She was all smiles as she made her way through Houston on the flat, loop course.

Next up, meet us in TrackTown for the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials Track and Field in Eugene, Oregon, beginning June 22. Get your tickets, beginning May 6, and meet us there!

[Complete Trials Results]