UCCS alums Marcus Graham, Afewerki Zeru and Lexie Greitzer, as well as University of Wisconsin alum Jessica Watychowicz, took advantage of the high altitude chamber at the UCCS Hybl Sports Center to train for the USA Olympic Trials Marathon on Feb. 3, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.
Although it was a snowy day outside, the altitude chamber was adjusted to be humid and warm, to more closely mimic the conditions the athletes will face in Florida.
In order to qualify for the USA Olympic Trials Marathon, the women had to run under 2:37:00 for a marathon or 1:12:00 for a half-marathon, and the men had to run under 2:18:00 for a marathon or under 1:03:00 for a half-marathon.
All four athletes live, work and train in Colorado Springs and are part of the Colorado Springs Elite Running Coalition. The four of them have competed in multiple in NCAA II National Championships for cross country and track while achieving school records, all-conference, all-region and all-American honors. Graham, Zeru and Greitzer competed for UCCS, and Watychowicz for University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
UCCS alum Mason Frank has also qualified to compete in the Trials, which will be his third (2016, 2020 and 2024).