Austin runner to compete in Olympics marathon trials

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinite David Fuentes is off to the races this weekend as he competes in the Olympics marathon trials in Orlando, Fla. on Saturday.

This isn’t Fuentes’ first rodeo, though: He’s competed in two previous Olympics trials ahead of the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics. He’s also a four-time member of the USA Mountain Running Team as well as was an NCAA All-American in cross country.

“Ten years ago, I think the 28th of January, I posted [on Facebook] ‘two years until I can qualify the 2016 LA trials,'” he told KXAN Thursday. “And lo and behold, I did. It’s just spiraled into everything that I could have ever asked for and I’m just so blessed to have….just so many different avenues of running that I’ve been able to compete in.”

Fuentes’ journey into running began as a soccer enthusiast kid. After graduating from high school, he attended one year at Texas State University on a running scholarship before transferring to St. Edward’s University in Austin.

It was at St. Edward’s that he was approached by their running coach and reentered the sport, earning the NCAA All-American title and kickstarting his career and leading him to his possible journey to Paris.

“This will be my third [trial] so I’m just blessed and fortunate that I’ve been able to stay relatively healthy and have such a strong support system to be able to compete at a high level,” he said.

He credited staying healthy and avoiding injury to his more conservative running approach. He said he strives to train where he stays below the injury and burnout zones, all in the effort of playing the long game with his career.

His trial run Saturday comes amid a milestone in his personal life: He and his wife, Amber, welcomed a son over the summer. He said he’s thrilled to tackle this latest challenge with an expanded support system this go around.

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“It’s not just about me, it’s about our family. It takes a toll on more than me and my body — it’s early morning, it’s some sacrifices, vacations that turn into running trips, or running trips that turn into vacations when the race doesn’t go well,” he said. “[Amber] has been behind me 100%, and I could not have asked for a better wife and partner and just an incredible person to do this with, to share in this journey. Now we have our son, and he doesn’t know what’s going on, but he loves it.”

That community includes his family, friends and running partners as well as the city of Austin itself, Fuentes said. As Austin has grown and evolved over time, he said he and Amber have welcomed so many new friends and supportive outlets into their life to join in the ride.

“If I run with my wife around Town Lake, it will take double the amount of time just because of how many people she knows,” he said, smiling. “The community has played a huge part in this journey as well.”

Fuentes isn’t the only one with Austin ties vying for a spot on Team USA this weekend. Austinite Duriel Hardy will also be racing among the male competitors in Orlando, while former University of Texas Austin athletes and twin sisters Isabel Hebner and Monica Hebner are among women runners competing for a spot.

In total, approximately 360 runners will compete in the marathon trials Saturday, U.S. Olympic Team Trials organizers said.

Those interested can watch the marathon trials stream live on Peacock from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT as well as a delayed broadcast on NBC from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT.

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