Meet the elites running 3M Half Marathon

Elite runners love the 3M Half Marathon course! It’s known for being one of the country’s faster half marathon courses. Elites run 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour to secure fast times, obtain PRs, try new hydration/nutrition plans, and/or prepare for the Austin Marathon or Austin Half Marathon. Come out and support these elites as they give their all on Sunday, Jan. 20th!

Jessica Harper

Jessica returns to defend her 2018 3M Half Marathon title! She is the female champ and finished with a time of 1:15:45. She ran collegiately at The University of Texas from 2011-13. When she’s not traveling, you can find her running around Austin!

Bryan Morton

Bryan is an accomplished runner who finished second overall at the 2018 3M Half Marathon (1:10:13). He is also part of a trio who will pace female elites to the Olympic Marathon Trials B Standard at the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour on Feb. 17th.

Zach Meineke

Zach just moved to Austin from Wisconsin. He heard about 3M Half Marathon after reading about it in Runner’s World as being one of the best half marathons. Zach is a physical therapist at TexPTS and a father of two. He does a lot of his training pushing a double stroller with his 3- and 1-year-old (which they love). Zach most recently ran the 2017 Colorado Colfax Marathon in 2:32:34. He loves exploring the city of Austin through running and is very excited to get the grand tour during the 3M Half.

Andrew Leahey

Andrew is a born and raised Oklahoman who just can’t get enough wind! He competed in cross country and track at Southern Nazarene University. He earned various levels of recognition, from conference champion to All-American. A fun fact about Andrew is that when he was young his family were emu ranchers (yes the large dinosaur-like birds). His training started at a young age when these large, flightless birds would chase him. He now appreciates them!

Sarah Bishop

Sarah ran collegiately as an 800m runner and hung it up after 8 years of competitive running. After getting married and having 4 children in 3.5 years, she needed an outlet from the stress of daily life and to do something for herself. In 2014, she set a goal to break 1:30 in the half marathon. In the past 4 years, she has whittled down her PRs to 1:16:40 in the half marathon and 2:42:46 in the marathon, qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. She won the 2017 Marine Corps Marathon (2:45:06) along the way.

Michael Morris

Michael has been running competitively since 2004 when he started running for Wills Point High School. After a successful high school career, he ran for Texas State University in 2008. While there, he set the school record in the steeplechase with a time of 9:02. After graduating, he started coaching at San Marcos High School. He is currently the head cross country and track coach.

Goose Pedraza

Goose is an alum of the University of Texas-Permian Basin where he competed in cross country and track. He also attended Texas A&M-Kingsville where he also competed in cross country and track. Goose is a Fleet Feet Austin employee who has a half marathon PR of 1:13:02. He lives in San Marcos, Texas, with his girlfriend and dog Domino. Goose and his girlfriend will soon welcome their newborn daughter.

Natasha van der Merwe

Natasha is a transplant from South Africa, a mom to a 2-year-old daughter, and has been racing as a professional triathlete since 2010. Her racing success includes multiple victories at Austin’s local triathlon championship race – the Rookie Tri, a win at Lifetime’s Cap Tex Tri event in 2018, and multiple top-10 finishes at Ironman and 70.3 events over the last 10 years. She is also the 2017 Decker Challenge half marathon female champ (1:26:27).