Marathon Project Lives Up To Its Promise And Showcases American Distance Talent As Seven Men Go Under 2:10, Four Women Break Through 2:26

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor/Photos by Chuck Utash

Sara Hall mounted a charge after the American women's marathon record and Martin Hehir took his marathon career to a new level Sunday in perfect conditions outside Chandler, Ariz., at The Marathon Project. 

Hall took aim at Deena Kastor's 2006 record of 2:19:36 and was on a trajectory to break the record through 30 kilometers. As it was, the 37-year old finished in 2:20:32 to trim nearly 90 seconds off her previous best set in October at the London Marathon. 

"I was so grateful to have this opportunity to run a race in my home state this year," Hall said. "It was a tough race. I was hoping to run a little faster than that and it was a big PR and No. 2 all-time in the U.S. I should be happy with that, but you know, the competitor in me was like 'Uggh.' I wanted to run faster, but maybe next time."

RESULTS | MEN'S PHOTOS | WOMEN'S PHOTOS - On-Demand Replay Available on Dec. 21 after 7:30 p.m. EST

Meanwhile, Hehir, a full-time medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia, broke away from a pack of contenders at about 1 hour and 48 minutes into the race and built a cushion over the final 20 minutes on the way to a time of 2:08:59. 

Hehir, who elevated to the No. 7 performer in U.S. history, led seven American men under 2:10, smashing the previous record of four to do it in the same race in 2012 in Houston. 

"The future looks bright," commentator Des Linden said at the conclusion of the USATF.TV broadcast. "This event exceeded expectations with so many Americans running so fast."

The event was organized by HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite coach Ben Rosario and agent Josh Cox as a way to offer a rare racing opportunity to close 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Hehir has seen first-hand the severity of the disease that has paralyzed aspects of the sports calendar, including road racing events this year, working in an ICU ward as he studies to become an anesthesiologist. 

"It started getting hard at the end, but I think because of the flat course, we were able to keep going, just next mile, mile mile," said Hehir, who turned 28 on Saturday. "I started to fall apart in the last couple of miles, but I was able to hold it together just enough. It was great way to celebrate the first day of year 28."

Noah Droddy, just 10 seconds behind Hehir in 2:09:09, also crashed the all-time U.S. top 10 list at No. 9. 

Among the top 10 finishers in the men's race, eight came away with new lifetime bests.

Kellyn Taylor stayed with Hall through the first half of the race before falling behind the blistering pace. Keira D'Amato ultimately passed Taylor for second and finished in 2;22:56 -- a 12-minute personal best at age 36, ascending to the No. 7 all-time American performer. 

Taylor was third in 2:25:22 and Emma Bates was fourth in 2:25:40. 

It was the first time four American women finished together under 2:26. 

Hehir's former Syracuse teammate Colin Bennie, running in just his second marathon, ran 2:09:38 for third place. Hehir and Bennie train together for Reebok Boston Track Club and are coached by Chris Fox, who also coached them in college.

Paige Stoner, 24, is also a Syracuse graduate and part of Fox's training group, and she finished seventh in her marathon debut in 2:28:43, making her the fastest performer under age 25 in American history.

"It was a fantastic day for the team, for sure," said Stoner, who also ran the 14th-fastest marathon debut in U.S. history.

"It was super cool to be a part of it."

Forty-four personal best performances were recorded from 74 official finishers. An additional six athletes ran debut marathons, including Stoner and Reid Buchanan (2:11.38 for 13th overall), who produced the seventh-fastest performance by an American athlete in his first marathon effort.