1,500-meter American Record Holder Racing Competitively on Feb. 1 for the First Time Since Dec. 2020

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

DyeStat Archive Photo

Shelby Houlihan’s long-awaited return to racing has finally arrived.

Four years since receiving a four-year ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone, Houlihan is set to race at the Razorback Invitational this Saturday Feb. 1 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, marking a return to competitive racing for the first time since December of 2020.

“I don't have any expectations going into this,” Houlihan said in a recent DyeStat Discussions.

“I hope that it is positive and supportive and fun. And, if it’s not, you know, I’m going to do my best to mentally prepare for that as well,”.

The American record holder in the women’s 1,500-meter is entered in Saturday’s 3,000-meter, scheduled for 3:25 p.m. CT in Fayetteville. Live coverage of the meet will be broadcasted on SEC Network +.

“I wanted to do a kind of more low-key meet, I guess,” Houlihan said. “Just get the rust off, get the nerves out, try to like, just put myself back out there. Because it's scary. Like I haven't raced in four years.”

Houlihan will use this 3,000-meter race in Arkansas as a time qualifier to get into the U.S. Indoor Championships, scheduled for Feb. 22-23 at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, N.Y.

Houlihan is also scheduled to race the mile at the BU Bruce Lehane Scarlet & White Meet at the Boston University Track on Feb. 8.

Houlihan’s first race of 2025 will come 18 days after her four-year ban ended on Jan. 13, allowing her to not only compete in professional competition again, but also train with other professional runners.

Houlihan has yet to sign with a sponsor since leaving Bowerman Track Club in 2021 but hopes her return to racing will open up opportunities down the road.