Jared Ward, Isaac Wood and Landon Southwick had one goal in mind when they created Run Elite Program, a state-funded professional training group in Utah.

In a race filled with unbelievable results, here are a few of the biggest what-ifs from the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta. 

The men’s race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials is top-heavy on paper. Defending champion Galen Rupp exists in a league of his own with an Olympic bronze medal from Rio and a 2:06 personal best buoying his position. Injury struggles and Alberto Salazar’s ban have made a potential victory in Atlanta much less certain, but Rupp seems to have steadied the ship after tuning up with a 61-minute half earlier this month. If he makes it through 26.2 miles on Saturday, there’s a strong chance he will break the tape.

As the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials rapidly draw near, tensions surrounding the fate of Nike’s controversial Vaporfly shoes are at an all-time high. Reports in recent weeks that World Athletics is set to ban the shoe have led to speculation of when a potential rule change would be made and what specifically the governing body seeks to outlaw. With less than 40 days until Atlanta, both action or inaction by World Athletics will be a major storyline in the race for Tokyo. 

The Houston Half Marathon organizers decided to award their "top U.S. male finisher" prize money ($2,000) to two athletes this year.

Geoffrey Kamworor broke away from fellow Kenyan Albert Korir over the final two miles and blasted through Central Park to regain his men's title at Sunday’s 49th TCS New York City Marathon