by Deji Ogeyingbo
Joe Klecker Takes on Houston Half Before Chasing History at Millrose Games
Joe Klecker is preparing for a big start to his 2024 season. His first major test comes at the Houston Half Marathon, where he will look to make a statement on the roads before turning his attention to the track.
Klecker, 27, has built a strong reputation as one of America’s top distance runners. He has represented the U.S. in the 10,000m at the last three major championships, including the Tokyo Olympics. But Houston will be a new challenge. The half marathon is a different beast, requiring both endurance and tactical awareness. His performance there will set the tone for a pivotal year.
The race in Houston will also serve as a gauge for his fitness. Klecker hasn’t raced since March 2024, when he clocked 27:09.29 for 12th place at The Ten, missing the Olympic standard of 27:00. That effort was just shy of his best of 27:07.57 from 2023. In his first race of the season, he’ll get a chance to prove that his training prepares him for bigger goals.
After Houston, Klecker will shift gears to the Millrose Games, where he will chase history in the 2-mile race. The American outdoor record stands at 8:07.07, set by Matt Tegenkamp in 2007. The indoor best of 8:03.62 was run by Grant Fisher in 2024. Both marks are within reach for Klecker, who has been sharpening his speed in training.
The competition at Millrose will be fierce. He will line up against reigning World 1,500m champion Josh Kerr and top middle-distance stars like Cole Hocker and Grant Fisher. It’s a stacked field, but Klecker thrives in high-stakes races.
He last raced the 2-mile in 2021, running 8:11.55 outdoors at the Prefontaine Classic and 8:14.95 indoors at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. Since then, he has improved significantly. His 5K personal best stands at 12:54.99, and his recent 5K effort in Boston (13:06.02) suggests he’s in top form.
Klecker’s journey has been marked by perseverance. Injuries slowed him in high school and early in college. He narrowly missed making Colorado’s varsity cross-country team as a freshman. COVID-19 wiped out his NCAA title chances in 2020. But he kept pushing forward, qualifying for the Olympics and establishing himself among the nation’s best.
His success means a lot to those who have followed his career. At the Olympic Trials, his high school coach shouted at the TV as Klecker made his final push. In the stands, his young nephew, Norman, cheered him on with a simple chant: “Go, Joe, go!”
Now, as he eyes Houston and Millrose, Klecker has a chance to add another milestone to his growing career. The next few weeks will test his speed, endurance, and race-day execution. If everything comes together, he could leave both races with something special to celebrate.
