If you’ve ever wondered how fast some of the world’s top trail runners are over the marathon distance, the answer is: very.
On Sunday at the 2025 Houston Marathon, the top American finisher was trail runner Christian Allen from Orem, Utah. Allen, who won the Speedgoat 50K ultra-trail race in 2023, finished seventh overall, with a time of 2:10:32.
Allen’s time is among one of the fastest recorded marathon times by a pro trail runner. His time even surpasses the marathon best set by Western States 100 and UTMB Mont Blanc champion Jim Walmsley, who ran 2:15:05 in 2020.
Allen’s performance is even more impressive when you consider the less-than-ideal conditions; Sunday’s racers faced 30 km/h winds during the first half of the race.
In Allen’s preparation for Houston, he travelled to Provo, Utah, to train with his former Brigham Young University teammates and U.S. Olympic marathoners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young. Mantz and Young competed in the Houston Half-Marathon, with Mantz finishing second, breaking the American record in 59 minutes and 17 seconds.
Like many professional trail runners today, Allen ran track collegiately for BYU under coach and distance-running guru Ed Eyestone, where he set personal bests of 13 minutes and 32 seconds over 5,000m before transitioning to the trails after his time in the NCAA.
Richmond, Va. Photo: Kevin Morris
Allen made his mark on the trail running scene in July 2023 by winning the Speedgoat 50K in his home state of Utah. The race is renowned as one of the toughest trail ultras in the U.S., with more than 3,500 meters of elevation gain in the Wasatch Mountains.
American ultramarathoner Sage Canaday applauded Allen’s marathon time online, citing his ability to push boundaries in trail running. “Gone are the days when a 2:30 marathoner could show up to a competitive ultra-trail race and win, especially at the 50 km distance,” wrote Canaday.
Canaday believes Allen’s potential is high, presenting him with a choice: become one of the best trail runners in the world or aim for a spot on the U.S. Olympic marathon team for L.A. 2028.
