Houston Marathon 2012: Brett Gotcher Will Be Marathoner To Watch in 2016

Brett Gotcher stole the show at the 2012 Houston Marathon and he’ll do the same in the 2016 Summer Olympic trials, but for a different reason.

In his first marathon ever, Gotcher recorded a 2:10:36 which is the fourth-fastest debut in the history of the United States.  The time also earns him the title as the fifth-fastest active marathoner in the nation.

At 27 years old, Gotcher may not have started competing in the event at an ideal age, but he won’t be a one-time wonder even though he’ll be 31 next time around.  Age doesn’t deteriorate marathon runners like it does athletes in other sports.  For example, the man who won the marathon on Saturday, Meb Keflezighi, is 36 years old.

Gotcher is the second alternate for this year’s Olympic team so technically, there’s still a slight possibility that he could get a phone call to participate in the event.  Most likely, though, he’ll have to wait four years.

According to Jon Grugala of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Gotcher told the media after the race that:

"

It's bittersweet.  I'm happy to run fast and place high, but it's hard to think that as close as I was.  I have four more years until my next shot.  I chalk it up to a good experience in my first Trials and a stepping stone toward 2016.

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The former Stanford Cardinal track star’s marathon debut was long overdue.  When asked if the accomplishment was the best thing he’s ever done as a runner, Gotcher told Brian Metzler of Running Times that:

"

It’s gotta be at the top of my list in my running career.  It’s been the thing that I’ve been pulling towards when I realized I was going to be a distance runner.  Each time I moved up in distance, I got a little better and pretty soon it was like, ‘I think I’m going to be a marathoner.’  

To be able to finish it and finish it like I did on the first one, I felt like it was the first race of my career.  I feel like my career has started now and I’m a marathoner.  I’m really excited about it, but I think there is so much more to go for me in that event.

"

Gotcher entered 2012 as an underdog-to-watch, but 2016 will welcome him as an Olympic favorite.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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