One of America’s Best Marathoners Moves On

By Scott Bush

Since 2009, Jason Hartmann showed time and again he was one of the best U.S. marathoners of this current generation. His well-documented accomplishments, along with his equally well-documented struggles at obtaining a lucrative shoe and apparel sponsorship, marked the Colorado-based athlete as a “blue collar” champion, one the average runner could connect with and celebrate.

Hartmann’s strength and race tactics drove him to success. While he showed signs of speed on the track early on in his career, the former University of Oregon All-American knew his future lie on the roads. Two years after graduating, Hartmann ran consecutive sub-64 minute half marathons, including a twentieth place showing at the World Half-Marathon Championships.

From there the sky was the limit. Never one to shy away from the grind the very best professional distance runner must face as they grow and seek faster times professionally, Hartmann became a force on the roads, especially over the marathon distance. In 2009, Hartmann broke through with his first major marathon performance, as he captured the Twin Cities Marathon title.

Two weeks ago, as news broke of his retirement, Hartmann decided to shift his career focus. Having coached one of the best prep distance runners of all-time in Elise Cranny, Hartmann now sets his sights on helping the distance runners at Saginaw Valley State University, a DII school located in his home-state of Michigan.

Hartmann’s move to full-time coaching is no surprise. For the past two years he’s indicated time and again that he took his career race to race, with the possibility of retiring a very realistic decision. Hartmann’s retirement leaves a gap in the field as the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials near, one numerous up-and-coming American pros hope to fill.

Hartmann’s career is one of great achievement at the highest of levels. Here are four of the most memorable performances from one of the most likeable athletes you’ll ever meet.

Twin Cities Marathon (2009)

While Hartmann collected a few more notable performances as his career progressed, the Twin Cities victory in 2009 was a career changer. After dealing with a full year of injuries, Hartmann pondered retiring before this race, but his inspiring race showed he had so much more to give, while elevating him to one of the top five best marathoners in the United States.

Chicago Marathon (2010)

A year after his triumph in Minnesota, Hartmann took to the streets of Chicago, seeking a new PR and a top American finish. Running a very even effort, Hartmann charged home to a personal best of 2:11:06 and an eighth place showing (top American), accomplishing both his goals. A sub-2:10 clocking would never happen for Hartmann, in fact he’d never lower his personal best in the event again, but he showed he was more than capable of challenging for top five in a major marathon on the right day.

Boston Marathon (2012) 

While Hartmann struggled at the Olympic Marathon Trials, finishing a disappointing 32^nd, a few months later he inspired the country, as he used a very tactical race strategy to upset the vast majority of the field and place fourth at the Boston Marathon. The top story on the day was the incredible heat that stifled the world’s best, resulting in very slow top ten finishing times, but Hartmann didn’t let that affect him. While performances by Meb Keflezighi and Ryan Hall have inspired American distance running fans since 2008, Hartmann’s gutsy performance here should rank right up there among the very best American marathon performances of the past 25 years.

Boston Marathon (2013)

While 2012 certainly proved Hartmann had the tactical skills to compete with the best in the world, the 2013 edition of Boston showed Hartmann had the stamina, too. With near perfect weather, Hartmann ran a near perfect race, again finishing fourth in 2:12:12, and as top American in the most celebrated of American races. A second top five finish in a World Marathon Major is simply amazing and this race is how Hartmann should be remembered. His grit overwhelmed the competition.

Disappointing finishes at the New York City Marathon in 2013 and again at the Boston Marathon this past spring certainly aren’t the way Hartmann wants to leave the professional side of the sport, but the 33 year old has absolutely no reason to hang his head. Hartmann accomplished more than all but a few U.S. marathoners over the past decade. He ran, and beat, many of the world’s best. As he shifts his attention to coaching, you can bet this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Hartmann.