How Alex Maier Became The 2nd-Fastest American Half Marathoner Ever (59:23 Story)
THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCASTEpisode Notes
A recent 59:23 half-marathon for American long-distance star Alex Maier wasn’t a case of him catching lightning in a bottle.
It was the culmination of years of quiet dominance: from Oklahoma State to national titles, American records, and a seamless transition to the roads.
And with his stellar race in Houston, he’s now the second-fastest U.S. man of all time at the half-marathon distance.
But this isn’t a random one-off occurrence. In 2025, he won the Düsseldorf Marathon in April with a time of 2:08:33; it was a top-15 all-time mark for a U.S. runner.
He also claimed his first national title in March in Atlanta, running 1:00:48 to secure a spot on Team USA; and then set a 10-mile American record of 45:15 at the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in April.
He was a former standout at Oklahoma State, where he earned multiple First-Team All-America honors, including a 5th-place finish at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships. He also placed in the top 10 at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 3,000m and 5,000m in 2023.
He’s gone from NCAA standout to national champion; from American records at 10 miles on the road to becoming the second-fastest U.S. half marathoner ever.
His trajectory is impossible to ignore. And the most interesting part? It all feels like he’s just getting started.
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