On ZAP Endurance athletes Joe Stilin and Matt McClintock found themselves working together late in the 10,000m at the Portland Track Festival. The two teammates traded off leads over the 2nd half of a race that effectively served as a last chance attempt to qualify for the Olympic Trials on June 18th.
McClintock entered the race fresh off a ZAP record and personal best of 28:13 run two weeks prior at The Track Meet, a race which he won thanks to a strong 4:21 final mile. Unfortunately, in his pre-race shakeout run the day before he stepped off a curb wrong and sprained his ankle. Despite significant swelling and bruising that limited the power and mobility in his ankle he gamely toed the line. He was on pace to run the automatic qualifying mark of 28:00 past 2 miles, which he crossed in 8:58, but was unable to maintain the pace and finished 16th in 28:55.
Stilin had a 28:21 qualifying mark from 2019 on his resumè coming into the Portland Track Festival. He was looking to better that mark to improve his chances of qualifying for the Olympic Trials. Like McClintock he was on pace to do so until almost 5,000m. He ultimately finished in 14th place with a time of 28:52.
Stilin will make a quick turnaround and is back in action tonight at the Stumptown Twilight Meet where he will contest the men’s 5,000m.
Here is how the selection for the Olympic Trials works:
- The field size is set at 24 individuals, or more if more than 24 athletes hit the automatic qualifying mark of 28:00 and elect to run.
- Every athlete who runs the automatic qualifying mark of 28:00 can elect to run.
- Once all the automatic qualifiers have entered USA Track and Field will go down the list of times over 28:00 until they get to 24 athletes.
- The final field will be set on June 14th.
McClintock will enter with his time of 28:13 and Stilin will enter with his time of 28:21. If they qualify they will run, but otherwise they will gear up for some summer road racing.