Though new to the marathon, Briana Whaley has already shown an aptitude for the distance. After running 3:09:55 in 2005, she just missed the Olympic Trials qualifying standard at Chicago in 2006, running 2:47:51 (the B standard is 2:47:00). Thirteen months later Whaley finished under the standard recording a 2:46:15 finish at the Philadelphia Marathon making her an offical trials qualifier.  Now, she is training for the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to compete for a place on the U.S. Olympic Team. 

"I am just trying to enjoy the journey along the way while praying that I can glorify God with my hard work and dedication.  After all, at the race when we step up to the line we all have our own destinies ahead of us and anything can happen... we are all on the same starting line."

-Briana