Bobby Curtis will contend for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Marathon team on February 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Here are some fast facts about him. (To see all of our brief profiles of trials contenders, go here.)

Marathon PR: 2:11:20 (Chicago, 2014)

Best trials qualifier: 2:11:20 (Chicago, 2014)

Most recent marathon: 9th, 2:11:20, Chicago, 10/12/14

Residence: Rochester Hills, Michigan

Age on race day: 31

Previous Olympic Trials results: 6th, 2008 5,000 meters; 10th, 2012 10,000 meters

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Trials outlook: Curtis might be the best American distance runner you haven’t heard of.

While at Villanova University, he won the 2008 NCAA 5,000-meter title. His 10,000-meter PR of 27:24 is one of the fastest in the marathon trials field; he has run under 28:00 for 10K every year since 2010. And Curtis has quietly made big improvements during his short marathon career, going from a 2:16 debut in 2011 to a 2:11 PR in his third marathon, Chicago in 2014.

Curtis’ growing marathon prowess coincides with joining the Hansons Brooks Original Distance Project in 2013. The marathon-focused group has produced two Olympic marathoners, Brian Sell in 2008 and Desiree Linden in 2012. Curtis has one of the best track pedigrees of any runner who has joined the Hansons group; that background and the team’s proven marathon record is a potent combination.

Hansons marathoners are almost always in peak shape for the big races. On February 13, Curtis could well become the third Olympic marathoner in the group’s history.

Fun fact: Curtis won his NCAA title despite battling chronic insomnia for much of his college career. He has said the problem is now under control.

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Scott Douglas

Scott is a veteran running, fitness, and health journalist who has held senior editorial positions at Runner’s World and Running Times. Much of his writing translates sport science research and elite best practices into practical guidance for everyday athletes. He is the author or coauthor of several running books, including Running Is My Therapy, Advanced Marathoning, and Meb for Mortals. Scott has also written about running for Slate, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and other members of the sedentary media. His lifetime running odometer is past 110,000 miles, but he’s as much in love as ever.