Jess McClain was the primary American ladies to complete the 2025 Boston Marathon, taking seventh in a PB of two:22:43 on April 21, 2025. In Tokyo, Japan in September, Jess McClain took eighth place within the sizzling and humid circumstances, Jess ran 2:29:20 on the streets of Tokyo. Jess’ eighth place was achieved within the 2025 World Athletics Outside Championships marathon.
Right here is the piece we did throughout our previews of the Tokyo 2025 Champs: https://www.runblogrun.com/2025/09/tokyo-2025-preview-11-the-steady-miles-of-jess-mcclain.html
We went again in our archives a 12 months in the past and located the next interview with Jess McClain, who had simply signed with Brooks. Please notice that, from 2019 to 2024, Jess McClain raced from 5,000m to 10,000m at US Outside Championships, practically yearly.
Eight Questions with Jess McClain, from the RBR Archives
The 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon was filled with surprises on February 3, 2024. Considered one of them was the very good 4th place end by Jess McClain, who had not too long ago taken a two 12 months break from racing. Jess McClain scored a 4 minute PB in Orlando, and not too long ago signed a sponsorship cope with Brooks Operating. From 2014-2018, Jess had run from the Brooks Beasts TC.
We reached out to Jess McClain by means of Megan Stills, at Brooks communications with 8 questions. We thank Jess for her time and solutions and Megan for placing this chance collectively.
RunBlogRun, # 1. Inform us about your race in Orlando. What went in response to plan, and what shocked you?
Jess McClain: The race in Orlando is undoubtedly my most cherished race reminiscence—I had a lot enjoyable. The plan was to place myself within the race from the beginning and discover a good place within the lead pack for the primary 13.1 miles. I did this for the primary three miles till I spotted we had been working effectively below 5:30, which was too fast for me.
I made the decision to again off and work within the second pack of superior ladies by means of about 10 miles after which began to work my means again as much as the ladies who had been falling off the primary pack. I ran on my own till about mile 14/15 after which slowly labored to catch among the ladies earlier than me. I stored shifting up all through the remainder of the race and realized I used to be in fourth place with about 800m to go, a bit too late to catch third. However I used to be so proud of my efficiency—practically a four-minute private finest!
RunBlogRun, # 2. How do you’re feeling about being knowledgeable runner with a sponsor, Brooks?
Jess McClain: I’m so excited to be a Brooks athlete once more. I hung out on the Brooks Hyperion home in Orlando, and it felt like a way of dwelling to be across the model, outdated teammates, and Brooks staff once more. I really feel very lucky to be supported by Brooks at this stage in life—married, working within the nonprofit sector, and residing in Arizona full-time. I’m so excited to hitch a model on the forefront of our sport for therefore a few years. It feels nice to be again!
RunBlogRun, # 3. How is your restoration going?
Jess McClain: Restoration goes nice, and I’m three weeks again into coaching! After my final two marathons, I discovered taking full break day after which a couple of weeks of straightforward working useful. I went to Cabo with my household to hit the reset button and have been diligent about bodywork (therapeutic massage and bodywork) since early March, so my physique is feeling good! I’m excited to hit the roads and observe for some racing quickly, which is an efficient signal that I’m totally mentally and bodily recovered after the Marathon Trials in Orlando.
RunBlogRun, # 4. What was your first expertise in our sport?
Jess McClain: My first true working reminiscence was when my elementary faculty PE trainer inspired me to attempt an after-school observe program after watching me run the mile in PE class and beat all of the boys. I used to be additionally taking part in soccer then however went to a couple after-school practices for observe and completely LOVED it. Enjoyable reality: I acquired so nervous earlier than one in every of my first membership observe meets that my dad took me for ice cream as a substitute of creating me race. The subsequent time, I used to be much less anxious and remembered having a whole lot of enjoyable.
RunBlogRun, # 5. What was the largest lesson that you simply realized in working in highschool?
Jess McClain: I believe highschool taught me find out how to be disciplined and handle my time. Rising up in Arizona, we practiced at 5 within the morning, which meant many early bedtimes and lots of early alarms. I by no means noticed the top of 1 highschool soccer sport, but it surely was price it once I carried out effectively at state in cross nation and observe & area and finally gained admittance into Stanford College as a student-athlete. Finally, I realized what it meant to work arduous and spend money on a purpose—and to maintain it enjoyable alongside the best way!
RunBlogRun, # 6. What’s was your greatest lesson from working in school?
Jess McClain: The most important lesson I realized at Stanford was from Coach Chris Miltenberg—to be current and luxuriate in/belief the method. As a Stanford student-athlete, I shortly acquired caught up within the depth and excessive calls for of our lecturers and athletics. He at all times reminded us to be current whereas at observe (attempt not to consider faculty), be current whereas in school (attempt not to consider working), and totally benefit from the second with our pals. That is nonetheless a mindset I observe at the moment.
RunBlogRun, # 7. Why did you determine to take a break from working?
Jess McClain: I didn’t cease working altogether, as getting in 5 regular runs per week stored me mentally sane by means of the pandemic. I did, nevertheless, take a couple of two-year break from racing, which turned out to be top-of-the-line issues I might have completed for myself. My final race earlier than the pandemic was in February 2020, and I raced my first marathon in February 2022.
It was robust to remain motivated to race with no beginning line in sight throughout the pandemic. I noticed a chance to spend money on my advertising profession with a extremely wonderful startup and loved the marriage planning course of with my now husband, Connor, all through 2021. Taking a step away from racing made me notice how a lot I like it and the chance it affords me to problem myself.
RunBlogRun, # 8. What do you like in regards to the sport of working?
Jess McClain: I like that you simply nearly haven’t any alternative however to be unplugged and within the second whereas on the run. In fact, I hearken to my curated playlists and the occasional podcast once I’m working alone right here and there, however once I’m working with my coaching companions or pals, I spend wherever from an hour to 2 and a half hours with them with no distractions. Operating has introduced a few of my closest and most cherished friendships into my life.
Operating has additionally gotten me by means of the ups and downs of life. I can’t wait to get out for some celebratory miles when celebrating a life milestone. After I’m dealing with grief, I am going for a run. After I must clear my head, a run is nearly at all times there to assist. This is without doubt one of the most important causes I’m ensuring to maintain my physique and keep wholesome—working retains me sane, and I like it a lot!
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