On Saturday morning more than 300 runners will attempt to earn a spot on Team USA at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston, Texas. Only the top three men and women will make the cut.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon race director Carey Pinkowski knows many of the athletes vying for one of those spots. He should. In the last two years more runners qualified for the Trials at the Chicago Marathon than any other event.
Pinkowski was a top level high school and college runner before becoming a Nike sponsored athlete in the 1980s. He's been directing the Chicago Marathon since 1990. In that time the race has grown to become one of the largest and most respected marathons in the world.
“I live a charmed life,” Pinkowski said. “I get to work in the industry on the business side of an activity I've done ever since I was a child.”
On Wednesday I caught up with Pinkowski to get his thoughts on the athletes who have the best shot at representing the U.S. at the London Olympics this August. Here’s what he had to say:
Pinkowski on why Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, and Meb Keflezighi are the top contenders
On the men’s side I think we have the most experienced group in terms of big time marathons. They’ve all run in the Olympic games. They’ve all run in World Marathon Majors. They’re probably the most experienced and seasoned group that we’ve ever had. It would be tough to go out on a limb and pick somebody who you think could knock those guys off.
I just don’t think that Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, or Meb Keflezighi are going to let this race get away from them. I’m sure these guys will make it a marathon race. I don’t think they’re going to let it come down to an 8k race or a 10k race. I think they know what they have to do and they’re very good at that. The things that happen, they’ve been there and done it so their experience is going to be the key.
UPDATE: Check here for the results of the men's race.
Pinkowski on the top three women: Desiree Davila, Shalane Flanagan, and Kara Goucher
Desi is my pick. I’m a big fan of hers. She’s competed here in Chicago. She’s competed in Boston and done really well. She’s competed in World Championships. Following Boston she PR’d in the 10k and the 5k, so she’s gone back to increasing her speed.
People seem to think she showed up a year ago but if you remember back to the Trials in 2008, at mile 22, she worked her way up to fourth place and was about 8 seconds out of third place before fading. She’s familiar with what it feels like to be at the Trials, and she’s gotten better every year.
Kara Goucher has run in New York and Boston. Shalane Flanagan has run in New York. They have run internationally and made Olympic teams, World Championship teams. They’ve medaled internationally. They’re very experienced, and you can’t not think that they’re going to work together too.
UPDATE: Check here for the results of the women's race.
Pinkowski on potential surprises: Mo Trafeh, Brian Olinger, and Brent Vaughn
Mo Trafeh’s half marathon PR from the NYC Half is an hour and 39 seconds. He’s interesting, but I don’t see him getting between the top three. Is he going to stick his nose in there? Absolutely. Will it be his traditional race plan where he’s led from the beginning? I don’t think there will be any surprises. I think all of these guys are very aware of each other.
A guy like Brian Olinger is an interesting individual. I don’t think he’s ever raced farther than 7 miles, but sometimes a novice will stick their nose in there and everything goes right.
Brent Vaughn is another one I’m interested in because he has great track credentials. He comes in through the half marathon. He’s up in Oregon with coach Jerry Schumacher. He’s training with Chris Solinsky and Matt Tegenkamp and they’ve got a really nice atmosphere there.
Pinkowski on 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor
With Deena, I was in Athens and I saw her bronze medal performance. It was the most patient and intelligent race I’ve ever seen an athlete run. She just did everything she had to do. She’s experienced. Will she put herself in position on Saturday? Yeah. But I think we’d have to see something happen with one of the top three women for her to slip in there.
Check here for a slideshow of photos from the race.
Pinkowski on how the Olympics will affect the elite field at the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
This is my 22nd year as the race director, so four different Olympic years. We’ve always continued to have post Olympic participation and some of our best fields have been after the Olympics. You do lose some of the top athletes but you also have the heartbroken athletes that didn’t make the Olympic team. I think the fact that this is an Olympic year elevates running. This is a year for us to really showcase Chicago and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon because there’s such an added focus on the marathon.
Registration for the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon opens February 1, 2012.
Check back on Saturday for complete coverage of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
Check here for a preview of the top 5 men at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
Check here for a preview of the top 5 women at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
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