Qualifying Guidelines

1. The qualifying mark must be made in a race on a certified course recognized by USA Track & Field or a member federation of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
2. The qualifying standards must be met from January 1, 2002 through January 8, 2004 or at the 2001 USA Marathon Championships (November 4, 2001).
3. All qualifying performances are subject to verification.
4. "Gun" time is the only acceptable method of timing. Chip/net times cannot be used for qualifying.
5. Athletes must meet the "B" standard in order to enter the Olympic Trials. By running the "A" standard, athletes will have their expenses to the Olympic Trials paid.

Special Qualifying Regulations

An athlete is eligible for automatic qualification into the Olympic Trials if that athlete has, during the year 2004, or during the four previous calendar years (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003), accomplished one of the following:

• Earned an individual medal in an Olympic Games or in an IAAF World Championships Marathon
• Won an individual USA Marathon Championship
• Won a U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon event

In addition, automatic qualification into the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon will be provided to those athletes who were members of a past U.S. Men's Olympic Marathon Team.

An athlete whose entry into the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon is based solely on the "automatic qualification" provision is not eligible to receive funding to the Olympic Trials unless he has already met the Olympic Trials "A" standard.