Virginia's Dana Coons Hits Olympic A Standard in Marathon

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Oct. 23, 2006

Virginia volunteer assistant track and field/cross country coach Dana Coons finished as the third American woman in the Chicago Marathon, held today on the streets of the Windy City. Coons’ time of 2:38.18 bettered the Olympic Trials “A” standard and was just seven minutes behind the top American female.

“It was a great run for anyone, especially someone running their second marathon,” said Jason Dunn, Virginia’s head cross country coach who also serves as Coons’ coach. “It was a personal best run for her and a testament to her continued dedication to running.”

Coons, who won an ACC title in the 10K in 2001, finished 15th overall among all women. She was one of only three women to meet the A standard in the race, and is now one of only 11 women to meet the standard in the nation. Coons had previously hit the B standard in her previous marathon, the US Marathon Championships in St. Paul in 2005.