Saturdays Q Elite ½ marathon race was a historic day for SAU Track & Field team and the distance squad.   Nathan Martin, Kyle Anderson, Bryan Burk and Peter Ramundo ran the 4 fastest ½ marathon times in school history.   All four athletes hit the "A" standard for the NAIA National Track & Field Championships in May for the marathon. 

Nathan Martin won the race with a new personal best time of 1:04:16.  Previous PR from last season was 1:05:50.  The Olympic standards for 2016 were just established last weekend by the USATF.  The ½ marathon "B" standard is 1:05:00.  However, it was not a certified course and the window to qualify opens up August 2013. 

"Nathan attempted to qualify last year but came up short, said coach Dante Ottolini.  "This summer Nathan put in 100 mile weeks and has made another jump in his aerobic power, and he showed in practice he had this potential but seeing it come together was a gift God allowed for sure."

Kyle Anderson finished 2^nd in the race with a debut time of 1:10:34. 

"Kyle went out conservative and cut the race down, continued Ottolini.  "Due to coming off the NAIA XC Nationals just a couple weeks ago, having had a big injury layoff last year, and along with it being his debut race, we wanted to be real conservative with Kyle.  I am convinced Kyle is in sub 1:10:00 shape right now." 

Bryan Burk was not at his first rodeo today.  Burk was racing in his 3^rd ½ marathon for Spring Arbor and that experience paid dividends for Burk and he finished the race in 4^th place today with a new personal best time of 1:10:57.  His previous times were 1:12:06 and 1:13:00. 

"Brian is a work horse and has logged more miles over his career than anyone I have ever coached, said Ottolini.  "I was happy for Burk today to see him continuing to make gains.  We went into this race thinking he could potentially crack 1:11:00.  Today was a huge praise and celebration."

Peter Ramundo is another up and coming marathoner for Spring Arbor University.  Ramundo had a debut race of 1:12:22 today which was a fantastic time for the newcomer.  "

"Peter was held back last year by a couple different injuries so it is exciting to see him start to clock the times he is capable of, said Ottolini.  "Peter gets better as the distance increases so I am anxious to see what he can do in a full marathon.  Unfortunately, due to a cross cultural trip he is required to take, he will have to wait for that opportunity during his senior year campaign."

"I was so proud of the guys today and happy for them.  They have logged so many miles, made so many sacrifices to have the fitness levels they have.  To see them put together the races they did was exciting and rewarding.   More important was again the way in which these young men do what they do, honoring God in all they do."

Spring Arbor continues their Track & Field season on January q8, at the Mike Lints Open hosted by Grand Valley State University