Andrew Epperson Gets Olympic Trials A Standard at Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

By Adam Kopet

Andrew Epperson became the 2019 U.S. leader in the marathon Sunday when he finished 18th at the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in Japan. His time of 2:13:11 was an improvement of 3:43 and bettered the Olympic Marathon Trials A standard of 2:15:00.

Current mood ðŸ˜ï¿½ What a trip! A race to remember and an experience of a lifetime. Casual 3:43 personal best after going out a bit aggressive. Pictures and more to come #BeppuOitaMarathon #siemersdreamers #dontsleeponthedreamers #AyyeStandard https://t.co/HmgnF40AyR

— Andrew Epperson (@AEpperson24) February 3, 2019

Epperson, who works as an assistant coach at Colorado State, already had the B standard from his 2:17:01 from the Chicago Marathon last year. His previous personal best came at the 2016 Chicago Marathon where he ran 2:16:54.

In Sunday's race, Epperson ran the first half in a quick 1:04:38, according to Brett Larner of Japan Running News, not much slower than his 1:03:17 half marathon best he set last month at the Houston Half Marathon. Epperson did fall off that pace in the second half, but he still managed hold roughly his average pace from his 2018 Chicago Marathon performance.

Assuming USATF accepts Epperson's time, he would rank 15th among Olympic Marathon Trials qualifiers.

Hicahm Laqouahi of Morocco won the race in 2:08:35. Haruka Yamaguchi of Japan won the women's race in 2:36:51.

Larner has a full recap of the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon at Japan Running News.