U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon Start Time Moved to 10:00 AM

Indianapolis, Indiana – November 15, 2023: The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), USA Track & Field (USATF) and Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) are pleased to announce an important update regarding the upcoming U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon. In collaboration and consultation with feedback from the athletes regarding concerns around weather conditions, it has been agreed that the start time for the event will be moved to 10:00 a.m. EST.

The decision to bring forward the start time to 10:00 a.m. EST was made following extensive meetings to address the concerns of athletes. The USOPC, USATF and GO Sports worked closely together to consult all stakeholders to ensure the best solution for all involved. After extensive scenario planning and multiple conversations with partners, a collective decision to bring the start time forward was made. The earlier start time will help provide an improved experience for athletes, spectators, and event staff, ensuring the comfort and safety of all involved. Additionally, robust contingency plans will be in place for further adjustments should projected weather conditions make it necessary. 

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon will welcome the nation’s elite male and female long-distance runners to compete for the chance to represent Team USA on the world’s biggest stage at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

"By making this adjustment in the starting time, we underline our collective commitment with USATF to support our athletes in their quest for excellence," stated Rocky Harris, the Chief of Sport and Athlete Services at USOPC. "We've listened to their feedback and acted accordingly, aiming to create conditions that foster peak performance. Our ultimate goal is to provide opportunities for athletes to truly shine on their journey to represent Team USA at Paris 2024.”

“As we continue on our Journey to Gold, the U.S. Olympic Trials – Marathon serve as a pivotal event that ensures the best team is selected to represent Team USA in Paris next year. We are extremely grateful to the USOPC and GO Sports for their partnership in developing a solution that benefits our athletes and fans. We are incredibly excited to see some of America’s best athletes in action and we thank the City of Orlando in advance for their hospitality,” added Max Siegel, CEO of USATF.

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. This new start time reflects the commitment from the USOPC, USATF and GO Sports to create an experience that will allow athletes to perform at their best as they strive to gain a coveted spot on Team USA.

Greater Orlando Sports Commission CEO & President, Jason Siegel shared, “Orlando is excited to welcome the country’s best runners when we host the U.S. Olympic Trials - Marathon in February. This means ensuring that USATF athletes, local volunteers, neighborhood residents, and the spectators in attendance are safe and have the experience of a lifetime as history is made in downtown Orlando. We’ve worked hand-in-hand with USATF and USOPC to make adjustments with health and safety at the forefront of every decision and appreciate their collaboration. Start times have been adjusted and revised plans are in place. It’s time to make history!”

For further information, please visit orlando2024trials.com.

About USOPC

Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. The USOPC is focused on protecting, supporting and empowering America’s athletes, and is responsible for fielding U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, and serving as the steward of the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the U.S. For more information, visit USOPC.org.

About USATF

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the national governing body for track and field, long-distance running, and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the country's No. 1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States. For more information on USATF, visit USATF.org.

About GO Sports

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County. Founded in 1992, the organization has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,600 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $2.6 billion in spending within the community. For more information, please visit GreaterOrlandoSports.com.