Athlete Bios

Jaci Smith

Women's Marathon

Qualifying Time: 1:11:27
Qualifying Race: 2023 Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon

Jaci Smith
Date of Birth

01/05/97

Age on Race Day

27

Current Residence

Colorado Springs, CO

Hometown

Edmond, OK

High School

Edmond North High School

Current Affiliation

U.S. Air Force

Profession

Developmental Engineer

Marathon PB

2:36:34

Social Media
First Trials qualification

No

Previous Trials

2020 (marathon), 2021 (10,000m)

Number of attempts to qualify

1

College(s)

Unite States Air Force Academy

Career Highlights
2nd, 2023 Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon; 19th, 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon in debut at the distance (2:36:34); set 10,000m PB of 32:10 in 2019 to qualify for U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, where she posted a top-10 finish; 5-time NCAA Division I All-American and Air Force Academy record-holder at 3,000m, 5,000m, 6k (cross country) and 10,000m.
Family
I have the coolest family. My dad, Don, was a collegiate long hurdler and introduced me to running at a young age. He’s now my biggest fan, confidante and quasi agent/coach. My mom, Terri, is a registered nurse and unregistered master chef. She’s been my rock through the ups and downs of my athletic career. I have a big sister, Jensen, who is not into running (unless it’s me running) but exceeds me in every creative and social facet of life. She makes sure I keep it real. Her husband, Andy, was a Division I swimmer and has run two marathons in recent years. My nephew, Jack, is the most adorable member of my family, with my mini poodle, Galadriel (“Gal”), coming in second. I would not be where I am today without my amazing family, which also includes beloved grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins back in Oklahoma!
Greatest Accomplishment
Simply being on the start line of my third Olympic Trials with an unquenched passion and gratitude for the sport is my biggest athletic accomplishment to date. Starting with a mishandled medical disqualification my senior year of college, the last five years of my running career have been riddled with uncontrollables. From injuries (I’ve torn my post tib tendon twice in the last two years and have had a surgery and five injections) to the uncertainties of active-duty service, I’ve kept at it, stacking hours of the not-so-glamourous things like cross training and PT, to keep the dream alive.
Interesting Story
Captain in the U.S. Air Force, where she is a developmental engineer currently assigned to train full time in the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP).
Favorite Book

A Tale of Two Cities

Favorite Movie

Harry Potter (all of them)

Favorite TV Show/Series

Downton Abbey

Favorite Song

Diamond (Martina McBride)

Favorite Post-race Indulgence

Any type of frosted cake

Favorite Breakfast

Bagel and lox

Favorite Motivational Quote
“Fly you fools.” - Gandalf
Favorite Running Memory
Finishing 10th in the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000m with my family, training partners and coach there alongside me.