Dec. 3, 2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Megan Lewis became an Olympic Trials Qualifier at the California International Marathon, completing the 26 mile course in 2 hours, 44 minutes, 4 seconds. The qualifying standard that she needed to beat was 2 hours, 47 minutes. This was her first time running the marathon competitively, and she was more than pleased with the results.

"Pretty exciting," she said. "I was just trying to barely qualify"

"The last 10 miles, I just kept bringing the pace down one or two seconds every mile. I was feeling better bringing the pace down."

More than 5,000 runners competed in the 24th annual event, which is a USATF certified road race that features a fast, downhill course. The course begins at Folsom Dam and culminates with a finish in front of the California State Capitol in midtown Sacramento.

Lewis also currently owns an Olympic Trials qualifying time in the 10,000 meters.

"Maybe I'll switch to marathoning sooner than I thought," she said.

Lewis will will now focus on preparations for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. The Boston Athletic Association will host the Women's Marathon Trials on Sunday, April 20, 2008, the day before the 112th running of the Boston Marathon.