First year ZAP athlete Sarah Porter made her marathon debut last week at New York City. Sarah executed the first half the race according to plan, "Sarah did a nice job sticking with the game plan the first half of the race," said head coach Pete Rea. She crossed the halfway mark in just over 1:18, averaging just a hair under 6min pace. After the halfway mark Porter began to slow a bit, crossing the finish line in 2:44 - a mark that qualified her for the Olympic Trials, although she won't run. Porter was already qualified for the Trials, but elected to make her debut at New York City instead and focus on the Track and Field Olympic Trials next summer. Despite the grueling experience of the marathon Porter is excited to tackle the event again in the near future, "I really learned a lot out there in my first experience and am already excited about applying some of those lessons to another marathon next fall."

Sarah's teammate and roommate, Esther Erb, took to the streets of her hometown, Richmond, VA this past weekend in the Richmond Half Marathon. Erb used the half to kick of her training leading up to the Olympic Marathon Trials in January. Erb crossed the finish line of the undulating course only 30 seconds off her personal best. Erb ran much of the race by herself, and is now looking forward to launching into her preparations for the Olympic Trials along with her teammates, Alissa McKaig, David Jankowksi, Jesse Cherry, Joe Driscoll, and Chris Clark.