Going the Distance

(Photo courtesy of Ann Marie Pierce)

On February 3, Wilmington runner ANN MARIE PIERCE was the eighty-second fastest female marathoner in the country.

That was the day Pierce competed in this year’s Olympic Trials. She qualified for the trials during last year’s Wilmington Marathon with a finishing time of 2:36:17. At the trials in Orlando, she clocked in at 2:43:04.

“The trials experience was humbling, full of energy, and something I will not take for granted,” she says. “The streets were lined with fantastic fans for a lot of the race. The areas that were sparse with spectators were the most challenging.  It just goes to show how the support can help encourage runners to stay strong.”

The heat was a challenge in Florida for Pierce, whose time was off from what she expected. And while she didn’t make the cutoff to head to Paris this summer and compete, she says she has learned from the experience and plans to take with her in training to try again ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

“The trials experience was humbling, full of energy, and something I will not take for granted,” Pierce says. “Being in the mix of the top marathoners in the country was incredible, and I know it took everyone hard work and commitment to first qualify, and then toe the line on race day. I would also like to mention how special it was to have everyone rooting from home, and many friends and family there at the race.”

Pierce, who in 2021 came in first place at the WILMA Dash while pregnant, had a super fan with her in Florida. “We are expecting our third child in October,” Pierce says, “so the little babe crossed the Olympic marathon trials finish line with mama.”

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