Utica Community Schools graduate Brittney Hall can trace the start of her running success to her first year at Utica High School track.

“The mile felt like a marathon to me,” she said “Eventually I built up stamina and enjoyed seeing myself transform into a fast runner! Both my coaches Megan Berry and Roger White, along with the support of UHS, helped me build my running foundation.”

Now, the former cross country standout at Utica High School, has achieved a milestone by competing in Olympic marathon trials in early February.

Hall earned her qualifier in just her third marathon, running 2:36:39 at Bakline’s McKirdy Micro Marathon in October 2023.

As a member of the cross country team at Utica High School, she finished in the top-10 in seven of the eight races in the 2015 season, was a two-time State Finalist. She also earned All County Honors, Academic All Conference selection and helped her team win three MAC White Team Championship during her four years.

At Western Michigan, she continued to excel, earning team and individual honors on the track and in the classroom.  

Hall graduated in 2022 and now works full-time as a hand therapy fellow at the University of Michigan and has turned her attention to running marathons. She said she still uses the  training techniques she learned in high school.

“I never would have thought I would be making it to the Olympic trials let alone for a marathon,” she said. “I want to thank all my teachers, mentors, and coaches for inspiring me to be the best runner and person I can be.”

Hall says she still follows the success of the UHS team, where her brother Ryan competed before graduating in 2023.

“It’s inspiring to think that I was once their shoes,” she said. “It’s awesome to see the team grow and achieve greatness!”