New York Road Runners Members to Compete at 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials on Saturday, February 13

New York, February 9, 2016—Nearly 20 New York Road Runners members will compete at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials on Saturday, February 13, in Los Angeles, CA, aiming to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic Marathon team that will compete in Rio de Janeiro this summer. NYRR is providing each of these members with a $2,016 training stipend, based on eligibility requirements outlined on NYRR’s 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Athlete Support page.

“New York Road Runners is proud to support the talented members of our running community who will be competing at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in Los Angeles this weekend,” said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for New York Road Runners and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon. “These runners train tirelessly, many while balancing their everyday lives as working professionals and family supporters, to reach the pinnacle of their racing careers. We wish all of our members the best of luck and congratulate them on a job very well done.”

Among the group of NYRR member standouts is American professional all-star Meb Keflezighi, 40, of San Diego, CA. Keflezighi is no stranger to the Olympic Games; in his career, the three-time Olympian earned a silver medal in the marathon at the 2004 Olympic Games and finished fourth in 2012. He has won more than 20 national championships in track and field, cross country, and road racing. Keflezighi is the 2009 New York City Marathon champion and the 2014 Boston Marathon champion.

“We have an extremely gifted group of NYRR members who will be competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials and we are fortunate to include Meb among them,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. “Meb represents not only the athlete we all strive to become, but also the person we want to be; he has supported NYRR as a Team for Kids Ambassador and we fully support his efforts, and all those of the incredible members who will compete for the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games.”

NYRR Member Athlete Backgrounds and U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifying Times (Women)

Name Residence Marathon/Half-Marathon QT Esther Atkins North Carolina 2:33:15 Alexandra Bernardi New York 2:44:35 Alexandra Cadicamo New York 2:43:35 Jeanna Composti New York 2:39:16 Sarah Cummings New York 2:34:47 Megan Hogan New York (HM) 1:12:12 Leonora Petrina New York 2:39:59 Caitlin Phillips New York 2:42:45 Karen Roa Massachusetts (HM) 1:14:35 Lindsey Scherf California 2:32:19

NYRR Member Athlete Backgrounds and U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifying Times (Men)

Name Residence Marathon/Half-Marathon QT Chris Bendtsen New York (HM) 1:04:43 Gian-Paul Caccia New York (HM) 1:04:55 Tim Chichester New York (HM) 1:04:56 Fidele Jefferson Arizona 2:15:19 Meb Keflezighi California 2:08:37 Brendan Martin New York 2:15:30 Ahmed Osman Arizona (HM) 1:03:02

The U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials for men and women will air live for the first time nationally on Saturday, February 13, at 1:00 p.m. EST on NBC.