Austin runners gave it their all at the 2024 Olympic Marathon trials
While only the top two men (with a possible third man) and the top three women competing in the 2024 Olympic Marathon trials in Orlando last weekend will make the Olympic Team for Paris, just making it to the trials is a huge deal. It automatically puts you in the top echelon of marathoners in the USA. At least six athletes from Austin competed in the trials. Mitch Ammons qualified with a 2:16:03 (McKirdy Micro Marathon); David Fuentes qualified with a 2:16:43 (Eugene Marathon ); Duriel Hardey qualified with a 2:17:58 (California International Marathon); Michael Duggan qualified with a 2:17:59 (California International Marathon); Monica Hebner qualified with a 2:35:55 (McKirdy Micro Marathon); and Isabel Hebner qualified with a 2:36:29 (McKirdy Micro Marathon).
The weather for the trials on February 3 in Orlando was far from ideal: sunny and mid-60s. So here’s how our Austin runners fared.
David Fuentes
Despite the conditions, Fuentes, competing in his third Olympic Marathon trials, held strong, clocking 2:21:37 to finish in a highly respectable 74th place. “I can honestly say that all things considered, I’m happy with how the race went. I mean DANG… it’s a marathon baby!” said Fuentes. “This race is unrelenting! It doesn’t care how fit you are, and what pace you can and want to run. Saturday’s race ebbed and flowed as the sun beat down on us. It had highs, lows, and everything in between. I’m happy with how I was able to contain my own collateral damage over the last 10K, to finish strong and not completely implode.”
Duriel Hardy
Hardy too, was happy with his effort, finishing right on the nose at 100th out of 150 entrants “Top 100 in the ENTIRE US, baby!,” he posted on Facebook. “Words cannot even begin to explain how good it feels! Given all the setbacks, illnesses, and injuries I’ve endured this past month leading up to the trials, this outcome exceeds my wildest expectations. My highest finish at the trials yet and the best part is that I had a blast!”
Mitch Ammons
Ammons has been steadily chipping away at his marathon times and was in top shape for the trials. However, the warm conditions thwarted his usual stellar effort. He finished in 2:26:03 for 123rd place. “I knew the conditions might be rough so I went out conservatively,” said Ammons. “Around mile 16 my conservative pace became all I had. Before I knew it I started getting dropped. With all that said, I wouldn’t change a thing, I had such a great time!”
Michael Duggan, perhaps the least well-known elite runner in Austin, topped the Austin list with a fine 57th place finish, clocking 2:20:03. While he averaged 5:21 per mile for the 26.2-mile distance, Duggan actually picked it up in the last mile, dropping to a 5:20 pace. Like Ammons and the Hebner twins, Duggan also trains with the Bat City Track Club.
Monica Hebner
Monica Hebner, along with her twin sister Isabel is one of the best runners ever to compete for the Longhorns. Unfortunately, February 3 was not her day. She averaged just under a 6:00 pace through 10 miles, but according to her Bat City Track Club coach Jeff Cunningham, her hip flexors seized up and she had to drop out.
Isabel Hebner
Isabel had even worse luck than her sister. At six miles, she stepped on one of those plastic lane reflectors on the street, rolled her ankle and broke her foot.
See the full results here
Upcoming Races: Sunday, February 18 at 7:00 a.m., the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon in downtown Austin. Saturday, February 24 at 8:00 a.m., the Goggle It 5K at Lehman High School in Kyle.
