Molly Huddle to Run the 2016 New York City Marathon

Molly Huddle will make her long-awaited marathon debut at the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6, race organizers announced on Thursday.

The 31-year-old has been wildly successful at shorter distances, establishing herself as arguably America’s top distance runner over the past few years. She’s the reigning U.S. champion in the 10,000m on the track, a 2012 Olympian at 5,000m and last year was the U.S. champion on the roads at 5K, 10K, 12K, 10-mile and 20K. She’s also run a half marathon in 1:07:41, an American record for an all-women’s race.

She’s currently preparing for the U.S. Olympic Trials on the track, with hopes of making her second Olympic team this summer. But after that, she will start her first marathon build-up.

“It’s with excitement that I am going to run my first marathon this fall, and I am honored and delighted to do so at the TCS New York City Marathon,” Huddle said in a press release. “As a native New Yorker and someone who has watched my training partners race through the city many times in the past, I felt like New York has been calling to me for many seasons.”

Several top American women have gone a similar route in making their marathon debut in New York. Kara Goucher debuted in New York in 2008, running a 2:25:53 to finish third overall. In 2011, Shalane Flanagan made her marathon debut and ran a 2:28:40 to finish second.

What Huddle can accomplish over 26.2 miles has been a source of intrigue in the running world for several years now.

“It feels like running a marathon is a rite of passage as a distance runner, and with my strength work going better than ever, I finally feel ready to tackle that distance on a course and in a city whose grit and vibrancy inspire me,” Huddle said. “I always love running NYRR races from one mile up to 13.1, and by now the city feels like a home course.”

NYRR also announced the introduction of the U.S. prize purse for the New York City Marathon. In 2016, it will total $116,000, with the top male and female American each taking home $25,000. To be eligible, athletes must have U.S. citizenship and not be eligible to represent another country in international competition.