The Accidental Marathoners : Speakers & Interviews

Interview by Kevin Selby.

When James Nielsen and Steve Sundell stepped to marathon starting lines last spring, neither had intentions of finishing. Sundell, an All-American out of Columbia who ran 28:28 for 10k on the track in 2007, was out to pace friends through Napa Valley's wine country. Nielsen went to Eugene as part of his preparation for a future marathon debut. Their results were similar: surprising marathon victories. Now they are training together for the Olympic Marathon Trials.

James Nielsen runs for the Adidas Transports Racing Team and is a PhD candidate in electrical engineering at Stanford University. Steve Sundell works in administration for the Stanford University athletic department.