Heather Hanscom
Alexandria, Virginia
Many athletes dream of having the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games, but only a select few have the opportunity to make their Olympic dreams reality. Four area women have put themselves in a position to contend for a coveted spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team.

When Heather Hanscom toed the line for the start of October's Marine Corp Marathon, she wasn't sure what to expect. The 26- year old had plenty of success at shorter distances, but the marathon was a new challenge for the Alexandria, Virginia resident. Photo by George Banker.

"I really just wanted to be competitive and qualify for the Olympic Trials," says Hanscom, who works full-time as a bio- medical research assistant for the American Red Cross. "My goal was to run around 2:40."

Heather accomplished all of her goals--and then some. Surprising the entire field, Hanscom ran away with the race. Looking like a seasoned veteran, she zipped to a stunning 2:37:59 debut. The time not only qualified her for April's US Olympic Marathon Trials--it solidified her as a real contender for one of the top three spots at the trials and an Olympic team berth.

"I didn't know I could run that fast," says Hanscom. "It really hasn't changed any of my goals. They just seem more attainable now."

It's those goals that drove Hanscom back into training just a few days after her Marine Corps win. With the help of her coach, former US distance standout Matt Centrowitz, she has already started training for April's race. Right now she plans on running a race or two on the indoor track and possibly the U.S. Cross Country Championships in February.

"I still want to be a 10,000-meter runner," says Hanscom, who ran collegiately at James Madison Unviersity. "I just want to be a versatile all-around runner."

To learn more about this talented runner, see the profile of Heather Hanscom from our Nov/Dec 2002 issue.

Lee Di Pietro
Ruxton, Maryland
Lee Di Pietro of Ruxton, Maryland recently qualified for her second Olympic Marathon Trials with a 2:47 effort at Grandma's Marathon this past June. Finding her name on the start list should come as no surprise to those who closely follow the sport. The 45-year-old has been a fixture on the U.S. masters running scene for several years now, and seems to be improving every time she laces up her racing shoes. Photo by Alan Penberg.

An all-around athlete growing up, running was not Di Pietro's first love. She played a variety of sports in high school and college including tennis, lacrosse, basketball, and field hockey. Di Pietro actually would occasionally run a few miles if she had the time, but if it wasn't for her sister she may have never attempted a marathon.

"I got into the sport when I decided to run the last ten miles of the 1988 Boston Marathon with my sister," says Di Pietro. "A short time later I ran the New York City Marathon as my first road race and I have been hooked ever since."

She has a hard time recalling the details of that first race, but believes that she finished somewhere in the 4 hour and 30 minute range. Her improvement has been steady ever since, despite spending many years devoting most of her time to the triathlon. She spent five years competing professionally on the triathlon circuit before putting all of her focus on running.

After what she considers a miserable experience at her first trials race in 2000, Di Pietro hopes that her experience in St. Louis is more enjoyable. She plans on running a half marathon in January or February in preparation for April's race, and isn't ruling out the possibility of trying to qualify for a third Olympic Trials in the future.

"I plan to compete at this level as long as my body will let me," says Di Pietro, who trains solo most of the time. "I feel very lucky to be at this level at my age. It is such an honor to be running with the best women in the country."

For more information about this national-class runner, please read a Profile of Lee DiPietro from our May/June 2000 issue.

Naoko Ishibe
Silver Spring, Maryland
A very familiar name on the local running scene, Naoko Ishibe will also be representing the region at April's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. She qualified for the race with a 2:47 finish at the 2002 Berlin Marathon. A U.S. citizen since 1994, Ishibe also qualified for the 1996 Olympic Marathon Trials with a 2:49:50 winning performance at the New England Championships (Cape Cod Marathon) in 1995. Most recently she represented Team USA in Japan, competing as a member of the U.S. Ekiden relay team. Photo by Kathy Freedman

Please read the profile from the March/April 2000 issue about Naoko Ishibie's focus.

Meghan McLaughlin
Vienna, Virginia
Meghan McLaughlin will have the distinction of being one of the youngest competitors to compete in the 2004 Women's Olympic Marathon Trials. The 24-year-old qualified by running a 2:46:52 at the Philadelphia Marathon in November. The results were somewhat surprising to the Vienna resident. Photo by Alan Pemberg.

"I didn't decide to run a marathon until the beginning of October," says McLaughlin. "I was planning on trying to qualify at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Arizona, but decided to give Philadelphia a try at the last minute."

The newcomer looks to have a bright future in the marathon, but doesn't plan to specialize anytime soon. She has plans to continue focusing on shorter races on the track and the roads over the next few years before making a permanent shift to the marathon.

"I want to use my speed while I have it," says McLaughlin. "I know that eventually the marathon is where it is at for me."

For the first time in her career, McLaughlin will put all of her energy and focus into her preparation for a marathon. With the help of her coaches, Cathy and Ray Pugsley of the Potomac River Running Club, Meghan feels like she has a plan that will get her to the starting line ready for a personal best.

"I will probably run a half-marathon sometime before the trials," says McLaughlin, who balances her running with a full time job as a consultant for Acumen Consulting. "My goal is to get the Olympic B cut (2:42). I believe with proper marathon training I can accomplish that goal."

Women's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
Date: April 4, 2004

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Qualifying Standards:

'A' Standard- 2:39:59 or under (Full expenses are paid) 'B' Standrad- 2:48:00 and under (Athlete pays own expenses)

Prize Money: $250,000 for prize money and developmental funds for the top finishers.

The 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying window runs from November 4, 2001 and closes 30 days before the Olympic Trials race. Performances must be run on certified courses that are verified by the USATF Road Running Information Center. The top three women finishers in the Olympic Trials race will qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team, provided that they meet the Olympic qualifying time standard for the marathon.