Mother and 42-year-old Deena Kastor to run U.S. Olympic Trials

Deena Kastor announced that she will be competing at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles, a day ahead of her 43rd birthday.

The American half-marathon (1:07:34) and marathon (2:19:36) national record holder won the marathon bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and confirmed her participation for the U.S. Trials with the local organizing committee.

After competing in the duo to Rio relay in Dallas on the weekend, Kastor told Letsrun.com, “In getting them ready, I train with them every day, so I’ve been putting in the work. I might as well toe the line.”

Since turning 40, Kastor has set numerous national masters records. In October, Kastor raced the 2015 Chicago Marathon running 2:27:47, an American women’s masters record. According to LA Trials 2016, Kastor’s Chicago time puts her as the fourth-ranked athlete entering the Feb. 13 race.

The three-time Olympic qualifier is president of the Mammoth Track Club in Mammoth, Calif. The 42-year-old finished sixth at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. The top three, with standard, qualify for the Olympic Games.

RELATED: Galen Rupp runs a 61:20 half-marathon, qualifies for U.S. Trials.

While Kastor has confirmed her participation for the U.S. Olympic Trials, Galen Rupp remains vague about the commitment.

Rupp qualified for the Trials with a half-marathon performance on the weekend in Portland, Ore. Running 61:20, many have speculated whether the 2012 Olympic silver medallist in the 10,000m will make his 42.2K debut at the February race.

Cover photo: Deena Kastor at the 2014 Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half-Marathon.