Anthem Half Marathon Results

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Former Slippery Rock University distance running standout Jeff Weiss punched his ticket to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the marathon Sunday afternoon with an impressive performance at the 2014 Anthem Half Marathon in Virginia Beach.

Weiss, a 2009 Slippery Rock graduate, was the first American finisher in the elite field and the third overall finisher, covering the 13.1-mile distance in 1:04:47, an average of a blistering 4:57 per mile.

The winner of the race was Kenyan Kiprono Kurgat in 1:04:23 and the runner-up was Moroccan Mohamed Fadil in 1:04:24.

Weiss' time comes in just under the Olympic Trials "B" standard of 1:05:00 that was announced last year and will guarantee him a spot on the start line in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2016 when the U.S. Olympic team for the marathon at the 2016 games is selected.

In order to qualify to compete at the Olympic Trials in 2016, male runners must run a half marathon faster than 1:05:00 or a full marathon faster than 2:18:00 on a certified course between Aug. 1, 2013 and 30 days before the trials.

Weiss, if he elects to accept the invitation, will be making his second appearance in the Olympic Trials for the marathon. He qualified for the 2012 trials after his first attempt at running the 26.2-mile distance.

The top three finishers at the trials in 2016, provided they all reach the Olympic standard, will represent the USA at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Weiss, now 27, resides in Ravenswood, W.Va.