Running News Daily

The race for three coveted places on the United States men's marathon team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games is already generating enormous interest, with several of America's leading distance runners positioning themselves for what promises to be a fiercely competitive selection battle.

With the US Olympic Marathon Trials scheduled for March 25, 2028, in St. Louis, Missouri, the countdown has entered an important phase. The depth of talent emerging in American marathon running has created an intriguing selection contest, particularly after a series of outstanding performances throughout the 2026 season.

Among the athletes attracting the most attention is Zouhair Talbi, who has arguably produced the strongest collection of marathon performances among American runners this year. Talbi has broken 2:07 on three occasions in 2026, winning the Houston Marathon in 2:05:45 before finishing fifth at the Boston Marathon in an outstanding 2:03:45. He subsequently placed sixth at the New York City Marathon in 2:06:43.

His remarkable consistency has made him an early favourite in discussions surrounding the 2028 selection race, with his ability to deliver fast performances across different courses strengthening his credentials.

However, standing in his way is reigning US Olympic Marathon Trials champion and American record holder Conner Mantz. The accomplished distance runner secured his place at the 2024 Paris Olympics after winning the American Trials and remains one of the country's most established marathon competitors. Although his 2026 New York City Marathon performance of 2:07:27 was not among his fastest outings, his experience, championship pedigree and previous achievements make him a formidable contender for another Olympic appearance.

Charles Hicks has also made a significant statement in his marathon career. The young American finished seventh at the 2026 Boston Marathon in 2:04:35, establishing himself among the fastest American marathoners of the season. He followed that performance with an eighth-place finish in Chicago in 2:05:35, demonstrating that his Boston result was no isolated achievement.

Clayton Young is another serious contender. He finished 11th at Boston in 2:05:41 before returning to Chicago to record 2:05:23, finishing seventh overall and narrowly ahead of Hicks. His consistency over the distance and experience at major international competitions could prove valuable when the Olympic selection battle reaches its decisive stage.

Vincent Mauri is equally deserving of attention. He announced himself as a major emerging talent with an impressive 2:05:55 performance at the Glass City Marathon in Toledo before recording another strong result of 2:06:45 in Chicago. His progression has attracted considerable interest, with his potential suggesting he could become one of the most dangerous challengers in the American marathon field.

Beyond these leading names, the competition extends to several other accomplished athletes. Ryan Ford clocked 2:05:46 at Boston, while Joe Klecker recorded 2:05:56 at the same race, further demonstrating the remarkable depth of American marathon running.

Veteran Galen Rupp also remains part of the conversation. The two-time Olympic medallist delivered a 2:06:55 performance at the Chicago Marathon, keeping alive the possibility of another Olympic campaign. Having represented the United States at four Olympic Games, Rupp could pursue a remarkable fifth appearance in Los Angeles, although the challenge of securing selection against a younger and increasingly competitive generation will be considerable.

Ahmed Muhumed has also entered the discussion after running 2:07:09 in his marathon debut at the New York City Marathon, finishing eighth overall. His impressive introduction to the distance suggests he could develop into an important contender over the next two years.

What makes this selection race particularly fascinating is the number of athletes already producing performances around the 2:05 mark. Six American men have recorded sub-2:06 marathon times in 2026, underlining the extraordinary depth currently available in the country's men's marathon programme.

Nevertheless, impressive personal bests alone will not guarantee Olympic selection. Maintaining fitness, delivering consistent performances and peaking at the right moment will be essential as the athletes prepare for the decisive Trials in St. Louis.

Ultimately, only three runners will earn the opportunity to represent the United States in the men's marathon at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. With established Olympic performers, rising stars and experienced marathon specialists all competing for those positions, the next two years could produce one of the most compelling selection battles in American distance-running history.

The question is no longer simply who has the fastest personal best, but who will deliver when everything is on the line in St. Louis.

Who are your three picks to make Team USA for the 2028 Olympic men's marathon, and who deserves to be considered the leading favourite at this stage?

Noah Lyles has made the difficult decision to bring his 2026 season to an early end, with an injury forcing the American sprint star to step away from competition for the remainder of the year.

Lyles announced the decision on Friday, revealing that the problem he suffered during the U.S. Outdoor Championships in New York has continued to affect his training and recovery. The injury, which initially appeared manageable, flared up during rehabilitation, ultimately leading him to shut down his season rather than risk a more serious setback.

Lyles had arrived at the U.S. championships in spectacular form. He powered to victory in the men's 100m at Icahn Stadium in a world-leading 9.79 seconds, matching his personal best and once again demonstrating why he remains one of the most formidable sprinters in the world.

However, his championships took an unfortunate turn in the men's 200m final. Lyles pulled up after suffering a strain in his left hamstring, leaving him unable to maintain his usual pace. He eventually crossed the finish line in 50.88 seconds.

The injury has proved more troublesome than initially expected. During his rehabilitation, the problem flared up again, preventing Lyles from progressing as planned. Rather than risk worsening the injury, the 29-year-old has chosen to prioritize his recovery and bring his 2026 campaign to a close.

The decision means Lyles will miss the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, scheduled for September 11–13. The Budapest 2026 event would have provided another major opportunity for the American to compete against the world's best, but he will now be forced to watch from the sidelines.

Despite the disappointment, Lyles can look back on a season that once again showcased his extraordinary ability. His world-leading 9.79-second performance in the 100m was a powerful reminder of his speed, while his decision to step away reflects the importance of protecting his long-term career.

With the 2027 World Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games on the horizon, Lyles' priority now shifts from racing to recovery, rehabilitation and rebuilding his fitness.

It is certainly not the ending he would have wanted for his 2026 campaign. But sometimes, the most important race is the one that comes after the setback — the race back to full health.

For now, Noah Lyles' 2026 season is over. The next chapter is recovery, rebuilding and preparing for an even bigger return. 

The road to Los Angeles 2028 will once again run through Eugene, Oregon.

USA Track & Field and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee have announced that the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field will return to Hayward Field from June 17–22, 2028, giving Eugene the distinction of hosting the prestigious selection meet for a sixth consecutive Olympic cycle.

For a venue that has become synonymous with American track and field, the announcement represents another chapter in Hayward Field’s remarkable Olympic Trials legacy. Eugene previously hosted the Trials in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024, and will now stage the event once again as America’s finest athletes battle for places on the U.S. team headed to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The 2028 edition will also introduce a significant change to the traditional format. Instead of the eight-day competition used at recent Trials, the main track and field meet will be compressed into six consecutive days, reflecting athlete feedback and the need for a more efficient selection process with the Olympic Games beginning less than a month later.

The men’s and women’s 10,000 meters, along with the decathlon and heptathlon, will not be contested as part of the main six-day Trials. Their Olympic team selection will take place earlier in the spring, with the dates and locations to be announced separately.

That scheduling adjustment is particularly important because athletes selected in Eugene will have only a short window to recover, prepare and travel before track and field competition begins at the Los Angeles Olympics. The LA28 track and field programme is scheduled for July 15–24 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Eugene’s return also reinforces its extraordinary status within American athletics. Few venues in the world carry the same history, atmosphere and emotional connection to track and field as Hayward Field, where Olympic dreams have been decided repeatedly over the past two decades.

And while the spotlight will ultimately be on the athletes who make Team USA, the road to Los Angeles will begin with another unforgettable week in TrackTown USA — where careers can be transformed, dreams can be fulfilled and the smallest margins can decide who wears the American colors on the Olympic stage.

The countdown to Los Angeles 2028 has officially gained another major milestone. Hayward Field is ready to welcome America’s best once again. 

World Athletics has confirmed a major schedule change for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games: all three rounds of the women’s 100 meters—including the final—will take place on the same day, July 15, 2028.

The morning session will open with the preliminary round featuring universality athletes from smaller nations, followed by the first round with the full roster of qualified sprinters. That evening, the championship stage will unfold rapidly with both the semifinal and the final, closing out an action-packed first day on the track.

This format marks a significant shift from the usual two-day schedule used at recent Olympics and World Championships. Traditionally, the first round and semifinals are separated by many hours—often by a full day—to maximize recovery. Compressing the event into a single day places a greater emphasis on depth, consistency, and the ability to deliver multiple high-level performances in short succession.

Why the Change?

LA28 organizers and World Athletics have collaborated on a schedule designed to deliver a fast-moving, high-impact viewer experience on opening day. Condensing the women’s 100m serves several goals:

• A blockbuster start to the athletics program, with one of the Olympics’ most iconic events featured immediately.

• Improved broadcast flow, concentrating marquee moments into unified viewing windows.

• Greater schedule flexibility for the remaining days, especially for athletes competing in multiple sprint events.

Officials have also noted that elite sprinters frequently run multiple rounds in a single day during national trials and certain elite meets. However, doing so on the Olympic stage—with global pressure and championship-level stakes—adds a new layer of intensity.

What About the Men’s 100?

While the women’s 100m will be fully completed on July 15, the men’s 100 meters will remain on a two-day format. The men’s prelims and first round will also take place on July 15, but the semifinal and final are scheduled for the following evening, July 16. This staggered approach further highlights how unique the one-day women’s format will be in Los Angeles.

A Big Opening Day

The women’s 100m program will headline a Day 1 that also includes:

• Women’s Shot Put Final

• Men’s 10,000m Final

With sprinting, endurance, and power all showcased, July 15 is positioned to deliver one of the most compelling opening days in Olympic track and field history.