Resident Wins Marathon, Posts Olympic Trials Time

Glastonbury resident Alex Norstom crosses the finish line at the 30th running of the Hartford Marathon on Oct. 14. Along with winning the local marathon, Norstrom posted an Olympic Trail qualifying time.  Photo Credit - Steve McLaughlin Photography

Glastonbury resident Alex Norstrom won the 30th running of the Hartford Marathon on Oct. 14, crossing through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in Hartford with an Olympic Trials qualifying time.

Norstrom finished in 2:16:53, besting the runner-up (Kiplangat Terer) by nearly five full minutes, and will now race in Florida next February for a chance to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in France. 

The 27-year old said preparation was the key to both winning and posting his personal-best time.  

“It’s always the months and days leading up that really make it successful," noted Norstrom. “My training for the race was by far the best I’ve ever done for any race or event in the past.”

It marked the second time that Norstrom won the annual 26.2 mile race in the Capital City, also breaking the tape in 2021 with a time of 2:20:40.

Since his victory two years ago, he had always eyed an Olympic Trials qualifying time — 2:18:00 and under — but an injury to his lower back nearly derailed his chances.

Last winter, Norstrom was forced to miss miles and scale back on his training following a fracture in the base of his spine that he discovered while he was out on a run.    

But through his dedication to the sport and his strong mental makeup, Norstrom returned better than ever after strengthening some “deep core muscles” that helped correct his form.   

“Sometimes it takes an injury like that to figure out your body and to prevent injuries from happening,” stated the optimistic distance runner. “Maybe it is one of the reasons why everything worked out.”

The change in training paid dividends as Norstrom was able to log up to 140 miles per week without issue, combining his long runs with strength training and the proper amount of recovery.  

“I stayed healthy — never missed a mile, never missed a workout, never got sick or hurt and that is really huge when it comes to running,” recalled Norstrom. 

Norstrom journey from an aspiring young runner growing up in Coventry to a two-time winner of the local marathon featured a stop at Central Connecticut State University, which he said really helped him hone his craft. 

It was in New Britain where Norstrom’s desire to eclipse long distances began to take shape, excelling in the 10,000 meters, among a variety of other challenging distances while competing for the Blue Devils. 

“Every year you learn more about training or how your body can handle certain things and my time at CCSU was big in figuring out who I was as a runner,” recalled Norstrom. “I always had thought that the marathon and longer distances was something that I could take beyond college.”

Eric Blake, who coached Norstrom at CCSU, called him a “tough competitor” and “one of the most committed athletes that I have ever coached.”

“At Central he was one of those guys that could push through those hard days. In a sense he did things the hard way; he never wanted to take the easy way out,” added Blake. “His talent was his ability to work hard and his willingness to work hard.”

Norstrom’s ability to outwork his competitors is even more impressive considering he works a full time job at American Radio Relay League in Newington.

In preparation for the marathon, a typical day for Norstrom is waking up well before sunrise — usually around four in the morning — for a training run before putting in a full day’s work and returning home for his evening run.

“I’m either at work or doing something running related,” stated Norstrom, who has a journalism degree from CCSU and is also currently helping coach the Blue Devils cross-country team this fall. 

Norstrom also didn’t take the easiest path to the Olympic Trials in choosing the Hartford Marathon, notoriously one of the more difficult marathons to post faster times.  

Yet that didn’t stop the speedster from averaging 5:13 per mile pace.  

Norstrom said accomplishing the feat in his home state was also rewarding. He had family and friends — included several from CCSU — on hand to witness the win. 

“What I do essentially affects my friends and family, and they see what I do and they get excited,” stated Norstrom.  “That is something that drives me, the ability to bring my family together.”

Many of his family and friends plan to follow him to Florida on Feb. 3 where he joins a select group of runners that have also posted Olympic Trials marathon times in certified marathons. 

Norstrom and the other qualifying runners will take on the 26.2 mile course through downtown Orlando for a chance to represent Team USA

The top three male and top three female finishers from February’s race will qualify for the Summer Olympic Games, which are set to take place in Paris during the summer of 2024.

With three months to prepare, Norstrom will continue to do most of his training around town where he likes the contrast of flat, paved sidewalks throughout downtown Glastonbury and the rolling hills of South Glastonbury. 

​“I love it here,” added Norstrom. “Glastonbury is such a great town. Running-wise there’s a lot of cool places to go for a run.”