March 11, 2008

Andrew Carlson, 25, started this Olympic year with a bang by crushing the course record at the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park with an 18:12 victory. As his follow-up performances since January 1 have shown—he placed fourth at the Bermuda International Race Weekend 10K in 30:20, and finished 15th in the USA Cross Country Championships in San Diego—he is steadfastly preparing for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field in Eugene, OR, in mid-summer.

A four-time all-state honoree and state cross country champion at Fargo South High School in Fargo, ND, Carlson was a two-time cross country All-American and the 2002 and 2004 Midwest Region Cross Country champion, and he received All-America honors in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Championships when he attended the University of Minnesota. Since college, Carlson has placed among the top 20 in several championship races, and, in 2006, placed fifth in the USA Men’s Half-Marathon Championship with a 1:03:20 debut. He finished fourth in the same race last year with a personal best 1:02:44.

Carlson, who has been a member of Team USA Minnesota since November 2005, has adopted a new outlook this year that has reaffirmed his dedication. New York Road Runners caught up with the fun-loving Carlson while he was on his way to the gym.