Aaron Braun Withdraws from Boston Marathon to Focus on Coaching

By Adam Kopet

Aaron Braun has withdrawn from the Boston Marathon as he transitions away from being a full-time athlete, according to a blog post by Braun.

Braun lived in Flagstaff, Ariz., and trained as part of the HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite team until recently when he took the job as head cross country coach and lead distance track coach at Sacramento State.

Having moved at the end of November to Sacramento, Calif., with his family, Braun has continued to train with an eye on the Boston Marathon. However, his coaching duties and his family commitments have forced him to reconsider his path as an athlete.

Braun did race January's Houston Half Marathon. He had hoped for a promising result, especially after a solid block of training during the Sacramento State winter break. Unfortunately, he did not have the race he wanted, finishing 33rd in 1:04:52.

With his coaching duties increasing and needing time to commit to his family, including his wife and two kids, Braun has decided to withdraw from the Boston Marathon. He does not call this retirement, but views it as a transition away from regular training, leaving the window open to return, should he find the desire.

Braun, 31, holds personal bests of 13:20.25 for 5,000 meters, 27:41.54 for 10,000 meters, 1:01:38 for the half marathon and 2:12:54 for the marathon.

In his first season of coaching at Sacramento State, Braun's distance squad helped the Hornets win the women's Big Sky Indoor Championships team title.

After much thought/reflection and consulting with family & friends; I’ve decided to withdraw from @bostonmarathon to focus my time and energy on my family and coaching @sacstatexc @SacStTrack Read more of my thoughts at: https://t.co/tlgvuxxmWs pic.twitter.com/JxvdT6XZly

— Aaron Braun (@aaBrauny) February 28, 2019