There are few things more exciting than watching those who are the best of the best perform. Whether it’s sports, music, theatre, comedy, or anything else. And it’s a rare occasion that amateurs can compete along with them.
On February 29, 2020 (Leap Day), over 750 of the best American Marathoners will compete in Atlanta, Georgia for a select number of spots to represent Team USA in Tokyo this summer.
The Atlanta Track Club has the distinguished honor and responsibility of hosting the Olympic Marathon Trials in a little over a month. In this episode, we talk with Rich Kenah, Executive Director of the ATC, who shares some of the history of the Club, his own history as a high level competitive runner and lots of details about the upcoming Olympic Marathon Trials.
We talk about who will be there, how they qualified, course details, tickets, volunteering, who qualifies for the Olympics and how anyone can participate in what will be America’s Marathon Weekend. This episode will inspire you to pack your racing shoes and head up, down, or over to Atlanta to participate in what is guaranteed to be an exciting weekend of racing.
Questions Rich is asked:
1:48 First Four:
- How old are you?
- Where were you born?
- Where do you live now?
- What is your favorite personal running success story
2:37 What do you remember about your first running experience?
3:51 What is your personal running background?
4:43 Did you podium?
5:34 What is the history of the Atlanta Track Club?
6:56 What conditions do you expect for the trials?
7:36 When did you become executive director of the Atlanta Track Club and what is your role?
8:24 How would you describe the club with all the members and events?
9:25 What does a club have to do to host the US Olympic Trials and when does the planning need to start?
10:31 What are some of the logistical requirements?
11:45 Do all your club’s other races have to work around the trials?
12:31 How do runner’s register for the trials?
13:49 What athletes would we recognize who are registered?
14:54 How many men and women do you have in the field?
15:39 When is the registration deadline?
15:57 Can anyone with a qualifying time register for the trials?
16:19 How far back can people go for their qualifying times?
16:47 Do you think it’s been on most competitors minds for more than a year and a half?
17:37 What can you say about the “A” and “B” athletes?
18:37 How much does it cost an athlete to participate in the trials?
19:30 How has the “A” and “B” protocol changed?
20:31 How is the start structured?
22:38 Did you have a ‘Dry Run” event to be prepared for the trials?
23:53 Who was running in that event?
24:20 What is the course like as far as layout and strategy?
26:49 Where are the best viewing areas for spectators?
28:24 Are tickets or anything required to be purchased for spectating and what other events are happening that weekend?
29:46 How does volunteering work and are there opportunities to volunteer?
30:51 What about security?
32:00 Are there any wheelchair competitions that weekend?
32:51 How does the Push-Assist wave work?
34:01 What is your impression of Kyle and Brent Pease?
34:45 How willing is Atlanta Track Club to going outside the comfort zone and trying new things?
36:08 What stories or tips do you have for us about America’s Marathon Weekend?
37:24 How is Atlanta inclusive with it’s running community?
40:06 Have you run any marathons yourself?
42:27 Any final thoughts?
43:50 Final Kick Round:
- What is your favorite local training run (location, starting point, parking, distance, terrain and safety issues)?
- Favorite running book(s)?
- Who or what would you like to have featured on the Run To The Top podcast?
Quotes by Rich:
“The course is what we like to call here in Atlanta, “Atlanta Flat”, which means it’s not flat. We are blessed here with some interesting topography, so you’ll see a good amount of elevation change throughout the course.”
“The first 2 loops are 8 miles and the last loop has a little 2-mile addition onto it. So you’re experiencing these elevation changes essentially 3 times. They’re subtle. It’s the kind of course that’s going to creep up on you, it’s going to beat you up a little bit, it’s honest, and we’ll see a true race rather than a time trial.”
“The feeling of coming across the line in Centennial Olympic Park as you qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games will hopefully be very special for everyone.”
“Atlanta is Running City, USA; we’ve got the world’s largest 10K here, we have Atlanta Track Club which is the 2nd largest running organization in the country by measure of members, we’ve got 125,000 people who finish our events here, but we’ve got more than 400 other running and walking events that happen, we’ve got great high school track and field, great collegiate track and field, and we have one of the most diverse communities in the country.”
“Atlanta Track Club is a big part of the conversation around pushing diversity in the sport in this region.”
Take a Listen on Your Next Run
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Mentioned in this podcast:
Run To The Top Winners Circle Facebook Community
2020 US Olympic Marathon Trials
Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park
South Fulton Running Partners Running Club
Book – Once A Runner by John L. Parker, Jr.
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