BC Alum Wins California International Marathon

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Former Boston College men's cross country and track and field runner Timothy Ritchie (2005-2009) won the USATF Marathon Championships on Sunday, Dec. 3 in Sacramento, hosted by the California International Marathon.

Ritchie finished the 26.2 miles in 2:11.56 and averaged 5:03 miles throughout. The former Eagle ran a conservative first half of the race to pull away from the field in the second half.

With his time of 2:11.56, Ritchie achieved the Olympic "A" standard and qualified for the U.S. Trials, where he has a chance to finish in the top-three and be selected to the 2020 U.S. Olympic team. Ritchie bested the Olympic "A" standards time of 2:15.00 by just over three minutes. The qualifying window for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials is Sept. 1, 2017 – Jan. 19, 2020.

Ritchie feels both proud and humbled to now be a National Champion. "Winning the US Marathon Championships was a very special moment," Ritchie said. "I have been fortunate in my career to have had the support of so many and breaking the tape was a way for me to honor that support. It has been a long journey to this victory with many ups, downs, setbacks and hurdles but to finally be able to call myself a National Champion is something I will be proud of forever. I know when I am out racing that I am representing my family, friends, my sponsor Saucony, my teammates and of course, Boston College. With that in mind I have no choice but to give it my all and be grateful for every step. I am the runner I am now because of my formation at Boston College - so a big thanks to my teammates, Coach Kerr and RT. Go Eagles!"

During his time at BC, Ritchie collected numerous accolades for his performances on the track and cross country course. After taking seventh place in the Northeast Regional in 2008, he competed in the NCAA National Championship and finished 62^nd at the meet. Earlier that season, he became just the fourth Eagle to win the New England Championship, one year removed from finishing as the runner-up. In his final season, Ritchie earned the highest-ever placing at the ACC Championship with a second place finish and was named the ACC Performer of the Week on two occasions.

Ritchie's indoor career was capped off by a podium appearance in the 3000 meter run and a fifth place finish in the distance medley relay at the ACC Championship in 2010. The standout was twice a regional qualifier in the 5,000 meters in his outdoor career. In 2009, Ritchie received an ACC Performer of the Week award and earned All-ACC honors in the 5000. In 2010, he was the runner-up in the 1500 meter run at the New England Championship.

On top of running, Ritchie graduated from BC as a double major with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Theology from the College of Arts & Sciences. He was a six-time member of the ACC All-Academic team.

Ritchie also served as the assistant men's track and cross country coach at Boston College for six seasons. His responsibilities included work out execution, recruiting and serving as a mentor for student-athletes.

Ritchie was named New England Runner of the Year by New England Runner magazine in 2013 and he continues to be sponsored by Saucony. He won the Rock 'n' Roll Philly Half-Marathon in 2015, setting a new personal record of 1:01.23.

Ritchie's Collegiate Personal Records (PR)

XC
8K: 24:02

Indoor Track
Mile: 4:05.47 (6^th fastest in BC history)
3000m: 8:08.75 (7^th fastest in BC history)
5000m: 14:16.42 (4^th fastest in BC history)

Outdoor Track
1500m: 3:45.80 (3^rd fastest in BC history)
5000m: 14:02.59 (2^nd fastest in BC history)
10000m: 29:55.10 (4^th fastest in BC history)

Boston College Athletics

BC Alum Wins California International Marathon

Related News

Related Videos