Dec. 7, 2025
Sara Hall finished in 2nd at the California International Marathon in Sacramento.
Hall led the pack at the 5k in 17:08.
At the half she was in a group of six in the led pack.
By 25k group dropped to four.
At 30k three.
At 35k Molly Born pulled away with Hall 27 seconds behind her and Hall 17 seconds behind Megan Sailor.
At 40k Hall had pulled with 10 seconds of Sailor.
At the finish Hall put on a great finish to beat Sailor by 40 seconds for 2nd in 2:24:36.
Born finished in 2:24:09.
Hall also won the Masters division with second place back at 2:36:07.
Results
Video Interview
Hall officially qualifies for the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials, which would be her sixth Olympic Trials should she choose to compete.
From Sara
“2:24, Fastest marathon this year.
A marathon is a long time to battle doubts, and when your body failed you in the last one, they’re always lurking.
Fight back. Go again.
Belief in yourself is a muscle that gets stronger.
Had a great time battling with an awesome group of women today! Just the momentum I needed going into 2026
Congratulations to everyone who finished and especially @born_molly on the win!”
Jennifer “Vucinich” Odenheimer who graduated from Montgomery 2010 also qualified for the next Olympic trials with her PR run today.
Three of the four fastest Empire marathoners are all from Montgomery.
320 overall, 33rd Female Jen Odenheimer, Portola Valley, CA 2:35:48 5:56/mile
MARATHON
2:20:32, 2:22:01 Sara “Bei” Hall, (Montgomery ‘01) at the The Marathon Project 12/20/2020, London Marathon 10/4/2020
2:30:41 Alia Gray (Maria Carrillo ’07) The Marathon Project 12/20/2020
2:35:43 Kim Conley (Montgomery ’04) Twin Cities Marathon 10/3/22
2:35:48 Jennifer “Vucinich” Odenheimer, (Montgomery ’10) 2025 California International Marathon
2:39:10 Nicole Lane, SRA (El Molino ’12) California International Marathon 12/5/21 in Sacramento
2:44:07 Julia Stamps, NY Athletic Club (Santa Rosa HS ‘96) Olympic trials, Houston 1/14/12
2:48:53 Erica Ruiz Murillo (SRJC ’16) California International Marathon 12/8/24
2:50:12 Sarah Hallas, (Ursuline ’98) Boston Marathon 4/15/19
Former Sonoma Valley High (2010) runner Nicholas Spector finished in 83rd in 2:20:04, 5:20/mile.
Hall’s PR is from 2020 in 2:20:32.
Former Maria Carrillo (2015) runner David Eik ran 2:26:12. Eik now teaches and coaches at The Nueva School in San Mateo
MARATHON
2:16:41 Steve Palladino, Santa Rosa resident since 1999, 1979 Boston Marathon
2:16:43 Robert Swoboda, (Ukiah ’17) at Grandma’s Marathon 6/22/2024
2:18:29 Nicholas Spector, (Sonoma Valley ’10) Napa Valley Marathon 3/5/2023
2:21:02 Jerry Drew, (Fort Bragg ’77) 1984 California International Marathon
2:21:07 Dante Capone (Analy ’15) at California International Marathon 12/3/23
2:21:42 Dan Aldridge, (Petaluma ’75, SRJC ’77) Napa Marathon in 1990
2:24:15 Steve Laurie, Team Eugene (Maria Carrillo ’99) Chicago Marathon 10/22/06
2:24:46 Jordan Kinley, (Maria Carrillo ’02) Charlotte, NC 12/11/10
2:25:49 Jeff Gardina, UC Santa Barbara (Piner ’00) at Big Sur Marathon 4/29/07
2:25:52 Richard Flores, (Maria Carrillo Coach 2001-2008) Napa Marathon in 1999
2:26:12 David Eik (Maria Carrillo 2015) 2025 California International Marathon
2:26:14 Kevin Jones, Team Etonic (SRJC 80) at NYC Marathon in 1986
2:26:44 Kenny Brown, (SSU) California International Marathon 1998
2:26:46 Eric Walker, (Rancho Cotate ’86, SRJC ’88) Chicago Marathon 1999
2:28:43 Eric J. Bohn, (Analy ’84, SRJC ’87, SSU ’94) Chicago Marathon 1999
2:31:20 Alex Wolf-Root, (Maria Carrillo, SRJC) at 2014 ROCKET CITY MARATHON