Hepp 12th in Olympic Trials

By ZENDA FARRELL | Milton Independent Sports Writer

Megan Hepp 97 earned a personal best when she finished with a time of 2:37:39 in the Olympic Trials on Sunday, April 20.

Milton native Megan Hepp ran in the Olympic Trials held in Boston on Sunday, April 20, and surprised herself with a time of 2:37:29 and an incredible 12th place fi nish. “I expected to come in somewhere in the bottom of the pack,” said Hepp modestly, “as I was ranked 97th going in. I thought I would fi nish somewhere in that range.”

The trials took place under almost ideal conditions, overcast skies with temps in the 50s. A total of 181 women qualifi ed for the event, 146 started and 124 fi nished. Only 98 ran under 2:50. The three with the fastest times earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team for the women's marathon and the opportunity to run through the streets of Beijing on August 17.

Megan qualifi ed for the trials after winning the 2007 Thunder Road Marathon in 2:45:10.

Only her second marathon ever, she won the women’s division and placed second overall. Until she was 16 miles into the race, she didn’t even realize what the qualifying standard was or that she was on pace to be eligible. Pre trials, Megan ran some 26.2 mile races in SC, whittling down slightly on her qualifying time but marathon day proved to be her new personal best. She has no plans to stop there. She was back on the road, pounding the pavement the day after the trials.

Hepp, a four-time America East champion has won indoor 3,000m and 5,000m titles; outdoor 3,000m steeplechase and 10,000m titles. In 2005 she was a provisional qualifier in the 10,000m for the NCAA championships. She was the US Olympic team trials 2008 featured athlete on Monday, May 5. Megan is a registered dietician living in Pineville, NC.