“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. “- Tessa Barrett
Tessa Barret, the first female finisher of the 49th Marine Corps Marathon, poses for a photo after completing the MCM course in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 27, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)
On Sunday, October 27, 2024, Tessa Barrett entered the ranks of being a Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) champion by winning the women’s division of the 49th MCM with a time of 2:39:38 (5th fastest winning time). Her love for the sport stems from Abington High School in Waverly, PA.
Barrett had an outstanding career during high school, which she continued at Penn State. The love of the sport remained strong, but she had to manage a demanding work schedule at Merrill Lynch.
Time management is the key to any activity. The setting of goals and managing priorities.
How did Barrett pull it off and capture the win? The comments below reflect the past. At the time Barrett was setting records in school, there was no way of knowing what the future was going to hold.
Was this your first MCM?
Yes! I ran the 10k at MCM as part of a marathon workout last year (I ran the Philadelphia Marathon in 2023, 2:46:28 15th place).
What was your motivation to run this race?
I have been itching to complete a marathon in my best form since 2022. MCM provides a great course, challenging, but fair, and the energy from the crowds & the marine volunteers are electric. It’s an incredible event for a great cause that I feel honored to be a part of.
What was your strategy?
Coach Jerry & I discussed remaining conservative the first half, then working the second half. I wanted to run as even splits as possible. The goal was low 2:40s, my previous PR was a 2:45 and I’m extremely pleased at the execution of the race plan.
The marathon is such a science, and I’m still learning. I have a lot more confidence after this marathon to keep training harder and push for better times.
How did you feel about the level of competition?
There was a professional runner who ran with me the whole first half of the marathon. She is a world champion qualifier for Sri Lanka. She pushed the pace in the beginning, and I stuck to my race plan.
When we got to Hains Point around halfway, I knew it was time to go to work. I never saw her after the halfway point.
What is your attraction to enter the sport?
I was a tennis and field hockey player in junior high, and a friend encouraged me to try out for track in the 7th grade to stay in shape and spend time with friends. I got hooked on long distance running and seeing results from hard work.
I’m not naturally quick, certainly not a sprinter, but I take great pride in my work ethic & being in a sport where hard work beats talent has helped me thrive.
How was your progression from high school through college?
In high school, I won three national titles in my senior year, two state titles and broke a national record in the indoor 5K. To say I set the bar pretty high is an understatement.
I could still post decent performances in college, but the leap from high school training to college training was a big jump. I think it took me a few years to develop my stride and find balance. My college career was nearly over by that point, and I still felt I had some unfinished business.
How has your life changed because of running?
Running has changed my life, but throughout the years, the greatest takeaway I have from running is the community. I have met many amazing people through running that have affected my life on many levels.
The Washington, DC, running community is very special. On any day, you can find a running group with people to run with in the city, regardless of what pace you’re trying to hit.
There is something magnificent about being around people that are continually trying to improve themselves, and I am inspired by my group of running friends every day.
How do you balance working and training?
After college, I was lucky to land my dream job with Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor. It’s demanding, but also an incredibly rewarding career. I work 50-60 hours a week, and juggle 85-90miles per week, usually running pre-dawn in the early mornings and most days doubling in the late evenings.
It may sound trite, but I am very grateful for the support from my company. They have encouraged me to be both excellent at my career and sport. Investing is very similar to marathon running. You’re in it for the long haul.
What is your why for staying in the sport?
Running keeps me sane, and it’s a stress reliever. If I don’t get after it, I will definitely be in a terrible mood!
At this point in my career, my why for staying in the sport is to encourage others to keep seeking excellence, both in their personal and professional lives. I’ve been told “that’s impossible” a fair amount, and I hope that by hearing my story, people will understand the sky is only the limit if you let it be.
What challenges have you overcome over the years?
I’ve had my fair share of injuries, par for the course with long distance running. I’ve also had a loss. I tragically lost my father on the day of the Penn Relays, when I was 18. It was a few weeks before I was set to graduate high school. This changed everything.
College was a hard time for me. I consider myself blessed to have had a wonderful father whom I was very close to, but losing him brought an indescribable amount of grief to our family. He’s been gone 10 years now. When the going gets tough during a workout or a bad day’s work, I remember his smile, his zest for life, and that always helps power me through.
Comments from Coach Joh Gondak, Penn State University
I have very fond memories of Tessa running in a Penn State uniform. She helped lead our team to a Big Ten Championship in Cross Country as a freshman, also earning All-American honors that year. Her race at the Big Ten Indoor Championship – which we won as a team–was one of my all-time favorite races to watch in my time at Penn State.
She ran 15:28 for 5000m that day, which is still our school record, and placed second to help us seal the deal on the team championship. She was the ultimate competitor! I am excited to see that she is still racing and doing well.
Were there any places along the course where you felt like easing off the pace?
I was feeling fatigued at the end. The loops around Crystal City were tough. I could feel my legs getting heavy and I know that last mile could have been better. There’s always room for improvement. I had an idea I was in the lead, but no clue how far behind the next competitor was. I didn’t really pump the brakes until the very end.
How has running with Georgetown Running Club(GRC) been a benefit?
GRC and Jerry’s coaching have been a tremendous benefit to my running career. Finding the GRC postgraduate was a godsend for me. It gave me structure and athletic purpose as I made the shift into corporate America. I will forever be grateful to Jerry and the GRC team for welcoming me into the fold with grace and allowing me to continue competitive racing.
What can you pass along to a young person who wants to enter the sport?
- “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”
- Running is a special sport because the more effort you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
- It’s a great sport because the stopwatch is not subjective. If you put in the work, trust the process, the results will follow. Mind over matter.
What has been an outstanding moment for you relative to the sport?
I’ve been blessed to have many wonderful moments in the sport. Winning the 2013 Footlocker National Title in high school was a significant moment in my career, and in retrospect a quite cherished memory, as it was one of the last times my dad would ever see me compete. I’ll never forget crossing the finish line tape with two Olympians on either side.
It was a surreal moment, and it gave me the confidence to dream big.
Tessa Barret, the first female finisher of the 49th Marine Corps Marathon, runs through the finish line of the MCM course in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 27, 2024. Participants from around the world raced on the monumental MCM course through Washington, D.C., finishing at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)
* Check out George Banker’s Book link Marine Corps Marathon: Honor and Pride.
0 Comments