Athlete Bios

Neely Spence Gracey

Women's Marathon

Qualifying Time: 2:30:29
Qualifying Race: 2022 California International Marathon

Neely Spence Gracey
Date of Birth

04/16/90

Age on Race Day

33

Current Residence

Lafayette, CO

Hometown

Shippensburg, PA

High School

Home-schooled

Profession

Coach

Marathon PB

2:30:29

Social Media
First Trials qualification

No

Previous Trials

2012, 5000m; 2016 and 2020, marathon

Number of attempts to qualify

1

College(s)

Shippensburg University

Career Highlights
5-time member of Team USA, including the World Athletics Cross Country Championships and the Pan American Games; 9th, 2016 Boston Marathon (top American); 8-time NCAA DII National Champion.
Family
Coached by her husband, Dillon, with whom she just celebrated 11 years married! They have two sons: Athens (5) and Rome (2).
Greatest Accomplishment
Being a mom is the hardest yet most rewarding and meaningful thing to me.
Interesting Story
After taking five years away from competitive running to have her children, just ran a personal best time of 2:30 in the marathon and qualified for her fourth Olympic Trials. In 2023, competed in the Run Disney Princess challenge and won the women’s race in the 10K and then won the overall race in the half marathon the following day! Also set the Guinness World Record for the fastest stroller mile with a time of 5:24! Alongside own goals, helps coach other runners to reach theirs and has worked with more than 1,000 athletes through her business, Get Running. In 2022, co-authored "Breakthrough Women’s Running Dream Big and Train Smart" - a book that embraces her upbeat style and passion for running
Favorite Movie

Harry Potter, Twilight

Favorite TV Show/Series

The Office, The Bachelor

Favorite Post-race Indulgence

Travel!

Favorite Breakfast

Sourdough toast

Favorite Motivational Quote
"Trust the process."