It hasn't exactly been a well-kept secret that Houston would host the men's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2012, but the big surprise is that Houston has been selected to host both the men's and women's marathon Trials races.

Houston had bid to host both the men's and women's Marathon Trials, but it was expected that New York City would be awarded the women's race. When NYC dropped out of the running, Houston was awarded both races which will be the first time in U.S. Trials history, the same city will host both races.

The men's and women's Marathon Trials will be held on a downtown criterium course on January 14, 2012. That's the day before the 40th anniversary run of the Houston Marathon. The top three men and top three women in the Trials races will represent the United States in
the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

"The Houston Marathon Committee has done an outstanding job of organizing
our national half marathon races over the past several years and has
distinguished itself as a world-class host for championship events," said
Doug Logan, president of USA Track & Field. "Bringing both Olympic Trials
marathons to Houston will allow our runners to benefit from the tremendous
community and corporate support that have helped make the Houston Marathon
one of the best run road races in the country."

It appears that the two greatest determinants in Houston's favor were money and calendar. Houston has pledged $1.7 million to host both races. Those funds will go toward event logistics, athlete support, travel and prize money. Since the London Olympic Games are scheduled for early August, rather than the later dates of certain recent Games, having the Trials early enough to allow for proper recover and preparation for London, yet close enough to be relevant to the Games, was a high priority.

This will be the second time Houston will be hosting the women's Olympic Marathon Trials. The city was the site of the 1992 Trials, a race won by Janis Klecker in 2:30:12. Cathy O'Brien and our own Francie Larrieu of Georgetown also made the team.  

But it will be the first time Houston has hosted the men's Marathon Trials. New York and Boston also were considered as host sites for the '12 Trials.

"We are very proud to be chosen as the Olympic Trials host city for the one
of the marquee events of the Olympic Games," said Houston Marathon
Committee board chair Brant Kotch. "Through our involvement with the U.S.
Half Marathon Championships, we have developed a strong partnership with
USATF, and we are looking forward to having the eyes of the running world
on Houston in January 2012."

Both Trials races will be run on the morning of January 14, with the
women's event expected to start before the men's. The specific race
schedule, as well as details about the 26.2-mile course, will be announced
later.

Men seeking to qualify for the race must achieve one of the following "A
standards": 2:19:00 marathon, 1:05:00 half marathon or 28:30 for 10,000m.
Women's qualifying marks include an A and B standard for the marathon
(2:39:00 and 2:46:00, respectively), along with 1:15:00 for the half
marathon and 33:00 for 10,000m.

To date, 76 men and 58 women have qualified for the Olympic Marathon
Trials.