Olympic Trials Contender: Deena Kastor
At age 42, the three-time Olympian is still in the hunt for her fourth trip to the Games.
By Erin Strout
Andrew McClanahan/PhotoRun
Deena Kastor will contend for a spot on the U.S. Olympic marathon team on February 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Here are some fast facts about her. (To see all of our brief profiles of trials contenders, go here.)
Marathon PR: 2:19:36 (London, 2006)
Best trials qualifier: 2:27:47 (Chicago, 2015)
Most recent marathon: Seventh, 2:27:47, Chicago, 10/11/15
Residence: Mammoth Lakes, California
Age on race day: 42 (she turns 43 on February 14)
Previous Olympic Trials results:
2000: third, 5,000 meters and first, 10,000 meters
2004: first, 10,000 meters and second, marathon
2008: first, marathon
2012: sixth, marathon
Trials outlook: Immediately following the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials, Kastor was convinced she was done competing at the distance. And who could blame her? After what she felt was a sub-par performance, perhaps it was time to hang it up. But she didn't, and now, at age 42, she finds herself still very much contending for a podium position and regularly besting women 20 years younger. If she lands in the top three, it will be her fourth Olympic team. At the 2015 Chicago Marathon, she was the first American, posting a 2:27:47, a new U.S. masters record. And she still owns the American marathon record, 2:19:36, which she set in 2006.
Kastor, who won the 2004 Olympic bronze medal, didn't commit immediately to competing at the 2016 trials. After Chicago, she said she wanted to recover and help her Mammoth Track Club teammates prepare for their trials races. If she felt fit along the way, she would throw her hat into the ring, she said. So, about a month ago, Kastor indicated that all systems are "go." With the fourth-fastest marathon qualifying time, she is one of about eight women in the 2:27 to 2:29 range, behind Shalane Flanagan (2:21) and Desiree Linden (2:23).
What she has on her side is the kind of extensive, world-class experience few others in the field have, which she will draw from on February 13. Kastor and top men's qualifier Meb Keflezighi could make history if both masters-aged runners make the team.
Fun fact: When she graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1996, Kastor was undecided: open a bakery or pursue a professional running career?
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Deena Kastor Takes Trials
Deena Kastor
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