THE MARATHON PROJECT 2020: The Marathon Project was born out of necessity in the fall of 2020 to provide professional runners a chance to compete during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The race was held at the Wild Horse Pass resort in Chandler, Ariz. on December 20. The course was flat and fast—a six-loop route that started and finished in the heart of the resort property. Over the course of the fall, The Marathon Project was announced, entries opened, the course was finalized, and the TMP website and social media channels were launched. A virtual race was also created so athletes of all ages and abilities could participate, and so the event could produce additional revenue. Brooks, Jaybird, Picky Bars, and Roll Recovery partnered with the event—allowing for a $20,000+ prize purse. The race was broadcast live on Runnerspace with a same-day replay on NBC Sports. And the fields included top athletes from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The result was one of the fastest days in American marathoning history….
THE MEN’S RACE:
Start time temps in the upper 30s with sunshine and almost no wind set the tone for a fast day. Pacers Frank Lara and Mason Ferlic set out at 2:09:00 rhythm from the gun, clicking off miles in the 4:55 range with a group of 20 athletes in tow. Pre-race favorites CJ Albertson, Colin Bennie, Noah Droddy, Scott Fauble, Cam Levins, Marty Hehir and Scott Smith were right there through halfway as well as a few surprises like Canadian Ben Preisner, France’s Emmanuel Roudolff and Americans Ian Butler and Mick Iacofano.
At 30k the pack was down to eleven with Hehir in front for the first time, followed by Droddy and Butler. 5k later Hehir moved hard and opened a gap on the field. Only Droddy was able to stay within striking distance and the race for the win was on. Over the last two miles, Droddy stayed 10 seconds back, however, never able to cut any further into the lead and it became a matter of just how fast Marty Hehir was going to go.
A strong stretch run saw him break the tape in 2:08:59, making him one of the ten fastest U.S. marathoners of all time. Droddy, Bennie, Fauble, Butler, Smith and Iacofano all dipped under 2:10:00 as well—the most Americans to break the barrier in one race…ever.
THE WOMEN’S RACE:
The pre-race hype for the women’s race was all about Sara Hall’s quest to set the then American record (2:19:36) set by Deena Kastor in 2006. A group of four male pacers were tasked with leading Hall around The Marathon Project course. One mile into the race though, Hall had company. Kellyn Taylor, who had remained quiet beforehand about whether or not she’d try and challenge Hall, was right there. Behind them a chase group formed with Emma Bates, Stephanie Bruce and Keira D’Amato being paced by Ben Bruce and Olympic medalist Nick Willis.
At halfway (hit in 1:09:39), Hall and Taylor were still on pace for the record but Taylor soon fell back and it became a solo effort for Hall. Meanwhile, exciting things were happening for D’Amato. The Marathon Project became her coming-out party as she’d go on to finish in 2:22:56—the first of many fast marathons for her over the next four years. Hall hit 35k in 1:56:09 having slowed just enough that the record began to feel out of reach.
In the end Hall would cross the line in 2:20:32, becoming the second-fastest U.S. marathoner ever at the time. D’Amato’s 2:22:56 was good for second with Taylor finishing off her valiant effort in 2:25:22. Behind them were all sorts of stories including Natasha Wodak qualifying for the Canadian Olympic team, Andrea Ramírez Limon becoming Mexico’s third-fastest all-time performer and Paige Stoner posting the fastest U-25 U.S. time ever.
“I’LL NEVER FORGET CROSSING THAT
FINISH LINE.”
— Marty Hehir, 2020 Marathon Project Champion
“I’M SO EXCITED THAT THE RACE IS BACK AND MORE PEOPLE WILL GET A CHANCE TO CHASE A PR AT THIS UNIQUE EVENT.”
— Sara Hall, 2020 Marathon Project Champion