Sunday's at Naples Daily News Half Marathon a last chance for Olympic Trials hopefuls to qualify

Having the Naples Daily News Half Marathon connected to the Olympic Games is something else. Sunday, a handful of competitors will attempt to qualify for the Olympic Trials through their finish.

"It definitely adds a little bit more pressure but it's very exciting," said race director Jake Hester of Gulf Coast Runners, Inc. "It's just that much more special to be a small part of that's something that's so big and so important for the lives of these athletes."

Unfortunately, the last time this connection occurred, the race never happened. Something called a meteotsunami hit Naples the morning of the half marathon back in 2016, causing its cancellation.

Hester, who is in his third year as race director, was at the race, even though he lived in Rochester, New York, at the time. He was working on his residency as a pediatric dentist.

"I always came back for the big races because I've been on the board of Gulf Coast Runners since 2013," Hester, 35, said. "Myself and (Gulf Coast Runner's) Mitch (Norgart) and another Jake, Hazewinkel ... we were sitting down at the first water stop at the end of Gordon Drive. We had to get back in the water truck and basically take shelter for half an hour.

"After all of the wind and rain sort of calmed down, there were all of the palm fronds down and a tree down blocking the road."

Fortunately, a forecast cold front isn't expected to come through until Monday. But it's unfortunate for the runners with a temperature of 64 forecast for the 7 a.m. start.

"It's going to be a little bit hot, so we have to prepare for everything a little bit more," Hester said.

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Tyler McCandless, who has won two of the last three in Naples, Joe Stilin, Josh Izewski and Nathan Martin have qualified for the Trials in the A standard; and Ian Butler, Naples' Kurt Roeser, and Ryan Smith have qualified under the B standard.

Kaitlin Goodman is the only female entry who has qualified under the A standard, while Stephanie Pezzullo, Joanna Thompson, Bria Wetsch, Naples' Erika Fluehr, Tristin Van Ord, Lacey Krout, Amy Regan, Meghan Bishop, Kelsey Beckmann, Chelsea Hollingsworth, Deanna Ardrey, Kerry Allen and Samantha Snukis have done so in the B standard.

The Marathon Trial will be Saturday, Feb. 29 in Atlanta. The qualifying window closes on Sunday, so it's the last chance for others to make it.

The Olympic Trials qualifying time for the half marathon at Sunday’s race is under 1:04:00 for men and under 1:13:00 for women.

"Sixty-four minutes is hard to do," Hester said. "For the women, 1:13, that is tough."

Hester and a handful of others are hoping to make some history, though.

"The Olympics, that's one time in these athletes' lives that they're going to do something really, really special," Hester said. "And in a small way all of us are a part of it."

IF YOU GO

What: The 32nd Naples Daily News Half Marathon

When: 7 a.m. Sunday

Where: Race begins on 5th Avenue South and finishes at 8th Street South (next to Cambier Park)

Packet pickup: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Naples On The Run, 20 10th St. S, Naples, FL, 34102); Race Day, Cambier Park, 5 to 6:55 a.m.

Registration: $100

More info: napleshalfmarathon.net