WILMINGTON, N.C. — A Wilmington woman will be taking on the best in the country at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.

What You Need To Know

  • Ann Marie Pierce has set the record in the women’s mile
  • She also unofficially holds the record in the 5K, pushing a double stroller with a time of 18:51
  • The U.S. Olympic Trials are being held in Orlando, Florida on Feb. 3

Ann Marie Pierce ran a time of 2 hours, 36 minutes, 17 seconds in the Wilmington Marathon in February of 2023, qualifying her for the marathon in the U.S. Olympic Trials.

“Yeah, I just chose to keep at it, keep at it, because running is more than just running to meet the people, really keep you in it to community,” Pierce said.

While most people don’t get up before the sun, Pierce usually has a full workout in.

“So this morning, I did 10 miles, just run, and then we've got this faster stuff on the track, because there's only a couple of weeks left before the trials,” Pierce said.

But it’s not all intense workouts all the time. Pierce likes to keep things fun. She was inspired after hearing about another mom running a mile while pushing her child in a stroller.

“I like to keep running fun, and like, a little bit weird, because I'll tell you running should be, it shouldn't all be intense," Pierce said.

Shortly after, Pierce set an unofficial record in the 5K while pushing a double stroller with her two sons.

“I had no expectations, like I was going to do what I can do if I do since I ran 18:51, which is apparently the world record for double stroller run 5K,” Pierce said.

Beyond her own training and workouts, community remains important. That’s why she started a youth running group in Wilmington called the Trailblazers.

“I actually started a running team when I was teaching, the first year I started teaching, and I was in the program, and there was kids that were like running around at recess,” Pierce said.

Three times a week after school, Pierce is out at the track, helping younger generations learn to love running as much as she does, and she knows community is what got her to where she is.

“I felt a lot of support and love. And I absolutely think that this is not a solo sport. You need people behind you,” Pierce said.