Sarah Lorge Butler.
Other Hearst Subscriptions Give A Gift, originally scheduled for noon on February 3, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, organizers of the event from USA Track & Field (USATF) and the Orlando local organizing committee (LOC) have agreed to go forward—with a start time of 10 a.m.
The announcement was made in a press release from USATF.
The news comes after an acrimonious few weeks that included dueling letters from athletes—who feared the potential for high temperatures with a noon start—on one side, and the LOC—which had been told by USATF that the noon start was non-negotiable and had built a financial model around that—on the other.
Sources also told Runner’s World Charlie Lawrence Breaks 50-Mile World Record contract had not yet been signed between USATF and Orlando, three months before the scheduled event. The absence of a signed contract left a slim opening for Orlando to back out of hosting, if USATF didn’t agree to shoulder some of the financial burden of the event.
It is not clear whether the contract has been signed, but sources told Runner’s World on November 14 since 2005. She is the author of two popular fitness books.
In a text message, Jared Ward, a marathoner and representative of the Athletes Advisory Committee of USATF, said he was happy with the changed start. “This was a big ask, and Orlando, USATF, and USOPC really came through,” he wrote.
Orlando will host an 8-mile test run on the course, open to Trials qualifiers, at 7:05 a.m. on December 3, the final day of USATF’s annual meeting, also in Orlando. As of November 6, 156 women and 197 men had qualified for the Trials. The last day of qualifying is December 5.
While the 10 a.m. start time was welcome news to runners, it is still possible the start time will have to move earlier, should high heat be forecast before the race. As it stands now, it is likely some women’s qualifiers will still be on the course at 1 p.m.
The release read, in part, “The earlier start time will help provide an improved experience for athletes, spectators, and event staff, ensuring the comfort and safety of all involved. Additionally, robust contingency plans will be in place for further adjustments should projected weather conditions make it necessary.”
The release said nothing about NBC’s broadcast plans for the event, which was originally going to be broadcast live on NBC if the races had started at noon. Kara Goucher, who does commentary for NBC, Advertisement - Continue Reading Below with Des Linden, “I actually heard from NBC, from my boss, that the time was being shifted and that we were going to be live on Peacock and tape delayed on NBC. They were fine with it.”
An NBC spokesperson offered no clarification when asked about Goucher’s comments.
The 2024 Trials have been beset by delays and controversy.
Health - Injuries on November 8, 2022, after the only other city to bid to host, Chattanooga, was disqualified due to an alleged conflict of interest with a USATF board member who consulted on the Chattanooga bid. That board member, Jim Estes, has since sued USATF for defamation.
Last week, USATF announced that its CEO, Max Siegel, had signed a new, five-year deal, keeping him at the helm of the organization through the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Siegel made $3.8 million in 2021, the most recent year for which records are public, and the USATF board has been criticized for approving that level of compensation for its chief executive.
Sarah Lorge Butler is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World since 2005. She is the author of two popular fitness books, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
