Olympic Marathon Trials Results 2012: Qualifer Recap and Medal Predictions

Today's Olympic marathon trials in Houston are finished, and if the trials are any indication of how the actual Olympics will play out, there's no way to predict what will happen in London.

Thirty-six-year-old Meb Keflezighi, seemingly out of no where, ran a personal best of 2:09:08 to secure first place.

Favorite Ryan Hall finished second with a time of 2:09:30. Somalia native Abdi Abdirahman also qualified by running a 2:09:47.

As for the women, Shalane Flanagan (2:25:38), Desiree Davila (2:25:55) and Kara Goucher (2:26:06) finished in the top three to qualify for the United States.

Here's a closer look at each runner and what their chances in London look like.

Meb Keflezighi

After missing the Olympics in 2008, Keflezighi is making a surprise reappearance. This is going to be his second Olympic marathon, as he finished second back in 2004.

Considering he just set his personal record at the age of 36, this guy is clearly, in a good way, a freak of nature. Normally, I wouldn't bet on a 37-year-old in the marathon, but he appears to be someone to prove everyone wrong.

Look out for Meb.

Medal Chance: 30 Percent

Ryan Hall

Hall finished 10th during the 2008 marathon, but he is fresh off an amazing 2:04:58 at the 2011 Boston Marathon.

That is the fastest marathon ever by an American.

Don't be surprised if Hall puts forth the best performance by an American in this race. 

Medal Chance: 50 Percent

Abdi Abdirahman

Abdirahman won the 2008 Olympic trials for the 10,000 meter race, but he's never competed in the marathon in the Olympics.

It's hard to imagine the 35-year-old will do a whole lot of damage in London, especially considering the 10,000 meter is more of his specialty.

Medal Chance: 10 Percent

Shalane Flanagan

Flanagan has competed in the Olympics in 2004 (5,000 meter) and 2008 (10,000 meter), so the Portland native shouldn't be a stranger to the spotlight.

In '08, she came in third.

After setting the event record at Houston today with a time better than the 2008 Olympic marathon winner, I'm liking her chances, even though she is far from the favorite. 

A top 10 finish wouldn't be surprising.

Medal Chance: 25 Percent

Desiree Davila

Davila is only 28, but she is certainly talented.

This year at the Boston Marathon, she ran a 2:22:38, the fastest time ever by an American woman at the event.

She was the favorite for today's trials, and even though she finished second, she will remain the favorite for the American women in London.

Medal Chance: 40 Percent

Kara Goucher

Goucher, 33, finished 10th at the 2008 Olympics in the 10,000 meter. 

Like so many other people on this list, she set a personal record at the Boston Marathon this year, so she also has momentum in her favor.

Medal Chance: 15 Percent