APNewsBreak: Joan Benoit Samuelson to run Chicago marathon with eye toward 2012 Olympic trials

Samuelson aims for 2012 Olympic marathon trials

PORTLAND, Maine — Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson says she will run next month’s Chicago marathon, with hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Olympic trials.

The 53-year-old Samuelson told The Associated Press on Monday that she will try to break 2 hours, 47 minutes, the time she says is needed to qualify for the trials, in the Oct. 10 race.

Samuelson competed in the 2008 Olympic trials in Boston, saying at the time that it would be her last competitive race. She finished in 2:49:08 to set an American record for the 50-54 age group but did not make the Olympic team.

Samuelson, who lives in Freeport, Maine, won the women’s marathon gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.