Kate Tenforde (née O'Neill; born July 29, 1980) is an American long-distance runner from Milton, Massachusetts. She represented the United States in the 2004 Summer Olympics, competing in the 10,000 metres.

Kate Tenforde
Kate O'Neill (left) in the 2008 Chicago Marathon
Personal information
Birth nameKate O'Neill
Born (1980-07-29) July 29, 1980 (age 44)
Milton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight108 lb (49 kg)
SpouseAdam Tenforde (m. 2010)
Sport
CountryUSA
College teamYale Bulldogs
Turned pro2003
Coached byMark Young
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals2004, 10,000 m, 21st
Personal best(s)3000 m: 9:07:74
5000 m: 15.21.66
10,000 m: 31:34.37
Half Marathon: 1:11:47 
Marathon: 2:34:04
Medal record
Representing  United States
Women's Athletics
World Marathon Majors
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Chicago Marathon

Amateur career

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Tenforde ran cross country and track and field at Yale University, where she was a three-time NCAA runner-up in Cross Country, 5000 m (indoor), and 10,000 m (outdoor).[1] O'Neill earned All-American honors in both Cross Country and Outdoor track.[2] Her twin sister, Laura, was also an All-American at Yale.[2]

Professional career

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In 2004, after setting personal records in the 10,000 m and 5000 m, Tenforde finished third in the Olympic 10,000 m trials with a time of 32:07.25. This qualified her for the 2004 Summer Olympics. In Athens, she finished 21st with a time of 32:24.04.[3]

Marathon

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Tenforde later turned her focus to longer distance events, with an emphasis on the marathon. She was coached by Terrence Mahon, who coaches notable American marathoners Deena Kastor, Ryan Hall, and Jen Rhines.[4] She had a strong marathon debut at the Chicago Marathon, finishing third with a time of 2:36:15.[5][6] In January 2008, she won the 2008 USA half-marathon championship (1:11:57) at the Aramco Houston Half-Marathon.[3] Tenforde was a favorite at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, but a knee injury forced her to drop out at mile 21.[7]

In 2009 Tenforde trained in Palo Alto, California, and was the first American finisher at the 2009 London Marathon, with a time of 2:34:48.[8][9]

In September 2014, Tenforde won the annual San Francisco J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge 5k.[10]

Personal

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Tenforde married former Stanford Cardinal runner Adam Tenforde on November 20, 2010.[11]

Professional

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From 2010 through 2015, Tenforde worked as a coach and product manager for runcoach to share her running expertise with recreational runners across the country. In 2016, she launched Beantown Running and began offering private coaching services to runners of all levels.

References

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  1. ^ Gambaccini, Peter (September 20, 2007). "An Interview With 10,000 Meter Superstar Kate O'Neill". Runner's World. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  2. ^ a b Riley, Lori (November 26, 2003). "They're Running A Professional Course". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  3. ^ a b "Kate O'Neil". USA Track and Field. Archived from the original on February 18, 2005. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  4. ^ Lamppa, Ryan (April 10, 2008). "Team Running USA Athletes – Hall, Kastor and O'Neill – Ready for Marathon Tests in London and Boston". Running USA Wire. Archived from the original on August 19, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  5. ^ Friedell, Dan (May 19, 2008). "Olympic Q&A: Marathoner O'Neill heads home for trials". USA Today. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  6. ^ Matson, Barbara (April 16, 2008). "O'Neill found sport she can accelerate in". Boston Globe. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
  7. ^ Gambaccini, Peter (September 29, 2008). "A Brief Chat With Kate O'Neill". Runner's World. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  8. ^ Gambaccini, Peter (March 31, 2009). "A Brief Chat with Kate O'Neill". Runner's World. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
  9. ^ Ungrady, Dave (April 26, 2009). "Ritzenhein, Keflezighi run PBs in London". Universal Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  10. ^ "2018 Results". Archived from the original on October 13, 2018.
  11. ^ Mallozzi, Vincent (December 3, 2010). "Kate O'Neill and Adam Tenforde". New York Times. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
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