Little-known Spangler wins U.S. women's marathon trial
In a race that figured to be dominated by former Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson and other top marathoners, little-known Jenny Spangler stunned the field of the U.S. women's Olympic marathon trials to win in 2:29:54 on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Spangler, 32, had run just one other marathon since the 1988 trials and qualified for this year's trials--held in Columbia, South Carolina--with the 61st fastest time.

The Gurnee, Ill. resident had spent the last two months training in California with the Santa Monica track club, which is better known for producing sprinters like Carl Lewis and Leroy Burrell.

Spangler pulled away from the lead pack 12 miles into the race and finished 12 seconds ahead of Linda Somers. Anne Marie Lauck claimed the third spot on the Olympic team with a time of 2:31:18.

Samuelson, 38, gold medalist at the 1984 Olympics, finished 13th in 2:36:54.

"I knew if I went out in control, I'd be in the hunt," said Spangler. "But I'm shocked. I had no idea I'd win."

After the race, most of the runners said they were unfamiliar with Spangler, who had quit the sport in 1988 and did not return until 1994.

"I don't even know who she is," Lauck said.

This story prepared by Reuters