Heather Cappello Qualifies for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Women's Marathon at Twin Cities
10/5/2009
Heather Cappello ran 2:43:58 and placed 22nd overall at the USA Women's Marathon Championship in Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Cappello's time bettered the Olympic Trials Marathon "B" standard of 2:46. Cappello's performance is particularly impressive given that this is only her second attempt at the distance. The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon hosted the 2009 Women's Marathon Championship and, as such, was granted a one-day qualifying window. Qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Women's Marathon will reopen on January 1, 2010. The date and location of the trials race is to be determined.
In addition to Cappello, Lesley Hocking had a stellar day at Twin Cities. Hocking bettered her personal best and met her goal of running sub-2:50 with her 2:49:16. Also representing the B.A.A. in Minnesota was Pamela Manley who placed 66th in the championship with her 2:59:05.
As the first qualifying race for the 2012 Trials - and the only opportunity to qualify in 2009 - the USA Women's Marathon Championship field was deep. The top ten women all met the "A" standard of 2:39 with the next 19 all meeting the "B" standard. The event also served as the host for the USA Women's Masters National Marathon Championships and the Men's USA 10 Mile Championships.
Cappello is the first of what will surely be several B.A.A. women to qualify for the 2012 Olympic marathon trials. The Boston Athletic Association hosted the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Women's Marathon on April 20, 2008 - one day prior to the 112th running of the Boston Marathon. The B.A.A. had six women qualify for and compete in that event. In 2004, the B.A.A. sent four women to the women's marathon trials in St. Louis, MO. The most recent B.A.A. men's competitor in the US Olympic marathon trials is Terry Shea, who is currently coaching the B.A.A. women's team.
