Coming off a blazing half- debut, Jordan Hasay, the one-time wunderkind track star (with She’s the famously long hair), makes her 26.2 debut Going in .

By Nick Weldon

Photographs by the Chris Hornbecker oes ing & Sh h ike Clot rnst; N mm E rnst; y Distance Hair & Makeup K by

MAY 2017 runner’s world 53 “My mother is definitely with me in spirit. I felt her on the course in Houston, and that gives me strength. When it gets tough, I tell her to run part of the course for me, and I think that’s going to help in the marathon. We Hasay in 2003 Obsession talked about Boston before during her first JORDAN she passed, and I’ll be out year of track as a “I only listen to Adele. there for her.” fifth-grader with her mom, Teresa, On long runs, these who always songs are on repeat.” cheered her on at meets. “ To see teammate Galen “Water Under Behind the Braid Rupp win bronze in the the Bridge” Olympic Marathon was Let Loose inspiring. When I’d see him “Hello” “When I first start- go out and do his long runs, ed running back “All I Ask” I was kind of hoping to jump in fourth grade, I HASAY on the marathon train.” “When We Were Young” wouldn’t even tie

is only 25, but she’s been in the it up—it would just be going

national running spotlight for one);

almost half her life. The Califor- Ph “ The 20-mile long run is my everywhere.” Always y (

nia native broke national records m favorite workout. My least Prepared la as a middle-schooler, was only A favorite—a moderate work- Tangled “I pack extra hair the second ninth-grader to win out Alberto loves—is the “This is kind of ties in my race

the Foot Locker Cross Country essions/ 800/300. You run 800 a little embarrassing, bag in case one National Championships, and faster than race pace, then but up until I snaps. On race had one of the most decorated the 300 a little faster than left for college, day I double- that. They always feel the I never brushed band the bottom

collegiate running careers ever Helenies); S at the , same: absolutely horrible.” it—my mom of the braids in where she claimed two national would do it for case one falls titles. After graduating with a me. I’d wake up out, and put both m left)

degree in business administra- Ph “ I watch a lot of Netflix, before a run and braids together in ch Mandel (Hair T tion in 2013, she joined coach Al- otograp especially Grey’s Anatomy. she’d brush it and one big ponytail berto Salazar’s elite Nike Oregon “ I feel very lucky and bless- The new season started the braid it.” with another hair oto, bottooto,

ed to still be running at a h week after Houston, and I tie (top). I usually

Project team. Until recently, her h dele); Mit s Courtesy of Jordan Hasay ( Jordan of s Courtesy A

pro career had yet to match the high level—I’ve been doing it e p was thinking about that as wear a pink hair c a

In Her since I was 12 years old. I just R soaring heights of her youth: Her ages ( motivation during the race.” tie for race days, bid to make worlds in 2015 was love running, and you have and for big races, R un (

to in order to get through all etty Im like Boston, I like cut short by plantar fasciitis, her Own oto G

first major injury. She missed of the ups and downs.” Ph “ Our team definitely has fun; to get a new one.” most of that year and returned age/ it’s not focus all the time. We Words To announce only to disappoint at last year’s her Boston always do a March Madness Head in the debut, Hasay Olympic Trials, where she “ I’ve had the honor to talk evin Morris/ bracket. When we were in Game S

’grammed a pic tatue); K

with Joan Benoit Samuelson t); K Europe, we had a mini-golf New Styles “My ‘race day’ placed ninth in the 10,000 and ranitz/Wire Im

with Joan Benoit h 13th in the 5,000. That prompted “ Going into Houston I didn’t Samuelson’s at some Nike events, and ig tournament—’s “When I got to braid starts at the irby L irby Hasay to chart a new path: on look at the all-time lists. I statue. she’s always told me, ‘Run teve G team won. We recently took MEBGRAM college (above), I tip of my head ); S enter R the road. Hasay won the wom- just wanted to run my own Boston as your first one.’ She m two vans to Washington for did my own braid- and goes all the Im ee/Wire en’s 10-mile national champion- race. After seeing the list might be a little biased as a a workout and were com- “In Houston, I saw Meb Keflezighi in an ing. My classic way down. I wear h Mo ships last fall and finished fourth [opposite page] it’s shocking, past champion, but I take it peting to see who would get elevator. I told him I’m a huge fan and have is an inside-out it for workouts

at the Houston and I’m just honored to be in stock in her advice. It’s always age/ there first. I guess we end his book on my kitchen table. He probably French braid.” so I can have that

in January, clocking 1:08:40 in such great company.” been in the back of my mind G up turning everything into a thought I was nuts! Since Boston is gonna same mind-set.” etty Im etty her debut and becoming the that Boston would probably competition!” be his last marathon and my first, he said, be my first marathon.” ‘It’s like I’m passing the torch on to you.’ ” Follow Jordan’s locks on Twitter @HasaysHair.

seventh-fastest American ever. ( ages ages (Hair in ponytail, c Amid this resurgence, in No- “ It took me a long time to F

vember, Hasay’s mother, Teresa, come back from the plantar L oot etty Im died unexpectedly at the age of fasciitis. After the trials, “My mother was my

As a high-school o c

56. Hasay will make her mara- Alberto and I decided I freshman, Hasay number-one inspiration. C ker thon debut in Boston this month should try longer runs. When took the 2005 I started out running with her 1. Kara 2. Deena 3. Molly 4. Shalane 5. Amy 6. Joan 7. Jordan h Foot Locker s Courtesy of Jordan (Hasay Hasay w Goucher Kastor Huddle Flanagan Cragg Samuelson Hasay a the 10-miler went well, that through the neighborhood h looking not only to continue her m 1:06:57 1:07:34 1:07:41 1:07:51 1:08:27 1:08:34 1:08:40

Championship pions Top U.S. renaissance, but to honor the showed us we could start title, finishing the on her six-mile loop every Women Half- Great North Berlin Half, NYC Half, San Diego Marugam Philadelphia Houston

woman who introduced her to thinking about the half mara- 5K in 17:05. day. She was always my h Run, 2007 2006 2016 Rock ’n’ Roll, Half, 2017 Distance Half, 2017

otograp Marathoners ip) evin Morris/Corbis via G K running in the first place. thon and, after that, Boston.” biggest fan.” Ph 2016 Run, 1984

54 Runner’s World May 2017 MAY 2017 runner’s world 55