Monte Vista Graduate, SF Marathon Winner, Qualifies For Olympic Trials

DANVILLE, CA — Monte Vista High School graduate and San Francisco Marathon winner Brooke Starn could be the latest in a long line of Tri-Valley talent to compete in the Olympics.

On March 29, the Monte Vista and Harvard graduate was one of 24 Americans to qualify for U.S. Olympic trials after finishing the McKirdy MicrOTQ in upstate New York - which requires nine laps around a 2.94-mile circuit - in 2 hours, 35 minutes, and 22 seconds. Starn placed fourth overall, and came in just under the 2:37:00 cutoff time required for women to qualify for trials.

She will participate in U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February 2028, and if she places among the top 3, she could qualify to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“It was such an incredible experience and still feels a bit surreal. Ever since my first marathon I’ve wanted to qualify for the Olympic trials and Sunday was my eighth attempt at the distance; it was the perfect culmination of many years of hard work,” Starn told Patch. “It truly takes a village, and I’m so grateful for mine. From joining me for 5 a.m. runs before work, to traveling all over the country to cheer, the support I’ve received is incredible. Getting to celebrate this milestone with my people is something I’ll never forget!”

Starn, 28, began running her distinguished running career at Vista Grande Elementary School, where she was encouraged by her P.E. teacher Austin Glimme. She ran track and cross country at Monte Vista, and set school records in the 1600-meter, mile, and 3200-meter races. She also earned All-American honors six times in track and cross country at the Junior Olympics.

In 2016, the Danville Rotary Club named her Athlete of the Year.

Starn ran for Harvard University and later UC Davis, posting top 10-marks in program history. Her first marathon was the San Francisco Marathon in 2022, where she finished first among women. She has since completed eight marathons in the last four years, all while in medical school and a medical residency. When she is not sprinting around the world, she is studying to be a pediatrician.

If Starn qualifies for the Olympics, she will join a long list of local talent. Closest to home, Monte Vista graduate Maggie Steffens won the gold medal for water polo at the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Summer Olympics. At the 2020 Olympics, Steffens set a new Olympic record for the most goals scored by an individual player in women’s water polo. San Ramon native Auston Matthews, who plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs, was named captain of Team USA in the 2026 Olympics, and helped lead the team to their first Olympic gold medal since 1980.

SEE ALSO:

• Danville Native Could Break Olympic Record: Reports
• 16-Year-Old Pleasanton Swimmer Wins U.S. Open Championships
• Pleasanton Native Breaks World Record In 30-Mile Swim To Golden Gate Bridge: Report