Despite nine major race starts this year, including two other marathons, Sara Hall lined up for today’s New York City Marathon ready to compete.
Through eight miles, Hall stayed connected to a lead pack of about a dozen runners until Desiree Linden took off about 10 miles in and started to break up the field. The trio of Ruti Aga, Mary Keitany, and Joyciline Jepkosgei later passed Linden past the the half-marathon point and put a two-plus minute gap on Hall.
Hall, 36, continued to hang but eventually dropped from the race at mile 18. In an Instagram post, she wrote that she felt “too weak and wobbly” to continue.
Hall was a prerace favorite for a top American spot despite an unusual buildup. Just five weeks ago, she set a four-minute personal best of 2:22:16 to place fifth at the Berlin Marathon.
She then defeated several other top Americans to win the national 10-mile title the following week. While Hall is no stranger to frequent racing, three high-level races, including two marathons, in five weeks was new territory even for her.
Hall’s next marathon will be the Olympic Marathon Trials in February in Atlanta. Despite the DNF today, she has to be considered among the main contenders for a top-three finish and spot on the Olympic team.
Hall’s Berlin time makes her the sixth fastest American in history on a record-eligible course. That breakthrough came as defending trials champion Amy Cragg withdrew before the Chicago Marathon with injury, the fastest trials qualifier, Jordan Hasay, dropped out of Chicago with injury, and four-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan retired from professional running to coach.
Brian has spent more than a decade focused on creating compelling news, health, and fitness content—with a particular interest on enthusiast activities like running and cycling. He’s coordinated coverage of major events like the Paris Olympics, Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Tour de France, with an eye toward both the professional race and the engaging stories readers love.
