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). The course must be USATF/IAAF/AIMS certified with an active course certification and have an elevation loss no greater than 3.25 meters/km. All course configurations will be accepted (no minimum separation). Marks from events on the track must be made in competition on a standard outdoor track.
2. Qualifying marks must be made and verifiable in one of the following:
   1. USATF- or IAAF-sanctioned events that prescribe to or exceed USATF competition rules,
   2. events at collegiate meets that prescribe to or exceed USATF competition rules,
   3. high school meets, except duals and triangulars, or
   4. meets or events that meet a minimum for competitiveness set by the Chair of the Sport Committee and determined to be valid by the USATF staff member responsible for verification.
3. "Gun" time is the only acceptable method of timing. Chip/net times cannot be used for qualifying. However, special consideration may be given to "chip/net" times for competitors with "gun" times extremely close to the qualifying standards.
4. Fully automatic timing (F.A.T.) is the only method of timing acceptable for qualifying marks from track events.
5. The qualifying standards must be met during the qualifying window specified above.
6. All qualifying performances are subject to verification.

Championships Qualifying

Any competitor who places in the top ten USA finishers at the USA Marathon Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011 (if applicable) will provided automatic qualification into the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon if the athlete runs 2:22:00 or better.

Automatic Qualification

USATF Rule 10.3(b) regarding Automatic Qualification will be used.

An athlete is eligible for automatic qualification into the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon if that athlete has, during the year 2012, or during the four previous calendar years (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), accomplished one of the following:

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

In addition, automatic qualification into the 2012 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.