Tales from the Trials
Running – and particularly women’s running – had a moment in the sun this past weekend during the US Olympic Team Trials. Quite literally, in fact. Downtown Orlando played a perfect host to the best marathoners in the country, scores of sign-toting, enthusiastic fans, and the kind of weather that keeps the convention and visitors bureau in the black.
As you’ve read by now, this year’s women’s Trials featured an impressive field of talented contenders, as well as the most diverse women’s group to date; with nearly 13% of qualifiers being women of color. All very good things for the future of women’s running and the sport on the whole.
But on the afternoon before this history-making field would toe the starting line, was a sparsely-attended event recognizing the 40th anniversary of the first-ever Women’s US Olympic Team Trials. Tucked between the elite athletes’ pre-event news conference and a mandatory meeting for event photographers; Betsy Hughes, Deena Kastor, and Joan Benoit Samuelson took the stage.
Hughes is the co-owner of Orlando’s Track Shack, and a co-conspirator in bringing the Trials to Florida. Kastor, is an Olympic bronze medalist, and former US record holder. Benoit Samuelson won the first US Women’s Marathon Trials on her way to eventually earning the gold medal at the 1984 Games; another first for US women’s marathoning.
The trio spoke to the significance of the occasion, the scope of the current competition, and the sacrifices, risks, and challenges women took to make it this far.
“Sometimes, an injury is just a blessing in disguise,” Benoit Samuelson coolly punctuated the conversation about her then gusty decision to undergo knee surgery just 17 days before those first Trials.
“Watching her may have been the reason I took up running,” added Kastor, who was just 11 years old watching those first Trials, “but either way, it would have inspired me to see that I could do anything.”
Being up close and personal with the real-life embodiment of that inspiration and representation is what brought many spectators to the fence line last weekend; including Joanna Moore and her three daughters and a friend from Tampa to see the Trials.
“It’s super important to show role models to my girls,” Moore told us, “and maybe have them aspire to not just be runners one day, but to be strong women.”
Jessica Dinatele was a runner in high school. She brought her whole family to see the start of the Trials.
“It’s really important for them to see that any dream is out there for them,” said Dinatele, “whether they want to run, or do another sport, or whatever. It’s important for my girls to see other girls working so hard.”
“Being here is just as important for us as it is for the racers,” added Allison Tripp, who came to the Trials with her son. “Any representation is astronomical, and we’re here to support just like they’re here to perform.”
Most of these families, fans, and runners won’t go to Paris. But odds are good this Olympic experience will change them and the face of running for years to come.
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