High Five Events introduces the fourth round of accepted athletes for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Runners who do not qualify for the Elite Athlete Program are still invited to run in the Elite Field. The Elite Athlete Program’s focus is to provide a clean and competitive environment, discover emerging talent, and help the existing talent pool reach Olympic standards. The Program’s Year Two prize purse totals $20,000, with $15,000 for the marathon and $5,000 for the half marathon.

The fourth round of 2018 marathoners include:

Becki Spellman, 2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier.

• Ruairi Moynihan – Elite Field (ran 2:39:38 at 2017 Grandma’s Marathon)
• Jamie Stroffolino – Elite Field (ran 2:37:38 at 2017 NYC Marathon)
• Mollie Turner – Elite Field (7th place 2017 Hartford Marathon – 2:53:32)
• Cecile Daurat-Thompson – Elite Field (ran 2:59:50 at 2016 Philadelphia Marathon)

The fourth round of 2018 half marathoners include:

• Becki Spellman – Elite Athlete Program (2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier)
• Ryan Root – Elite Athlete Program (5th place 2017 Indianapolis Marathon – 2:19:51)
• Jocelyn Todd – Elite Athlete Program (ran 2:48:23 at 2017 Chicago Marathon)
• Gabe Gonzalez – Elite Athlete Program (6th place at 2016 Big Sur Half Marathon)
• Fernanda Bau – Elite Field (ran 1:28:25 at 2017 Austin Half Marathon)
• Karen Bertasso – Elite Field (ran 2:49:08 at 2017 Berlin Marathon)
• Cole Toepfer – Elite Field (ran 1:11:30 at 2016 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon)
• Randi Burnett – Elite Field (ran 2:53 at 2017 NYC Marathon)
• Sarah Lancaster – Elite Field (ran 1:25:32 at 2016 Austin Half Marathon)
• Nicholas Spector – Elite Field (3rd place at 2017 OC Half Marathon – 1:09:19)

“After running my first marathon in Austin 2008 and qualifying for the Olympic Trials, this race has a special place in my heart,” said Spellman. “I’m very excited to be back in Austin this February; I can’t wait to race!”

Read about the first, second, and third rounds of accepted elite runners. Including today’s announcement, the marathon has accepted a total of eight runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 15 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. The half marathon has accepted eight runners into the Elite Athlete Program and 14 have been invited to participate in the Elite Field. Applications are arriving daily and more than 100 have already been submitted. The fifth round of athletes will be announced next week. Applications are still being accepted and elite runners can apply on the Austin Marathon’s website. Athletes that meet the program’s standards and are accepted will be given one comp entry to the 2018 Austin Marathon or half marathon, reimbursement eligibility, and standards bonuses.