DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado is known for its sports enthusiasts and outdoor explorers. But especially in the height of winter, it’s easy to forget that the state often provides the most Olympians per capita for not just the Winter Games, but also the Summer Games.

Two Colfax Marathon runners are hoping to be among those headed to the 2024 Summer Olympics, scheduled to be held July 26-Aug. 11 in Paris. The two Coloradans are going to try for one of three spots on the American men’s marathon team.

Garret Lee and Tyler McCandless are both Denver-area runners who were able to qualify for the 2024 trials. To do so, both had to run the 26.2 miles in a marathon during a qualifying race in under 2 hours and 18 minutes.

Both men have run and won races in the Denver Colfax Marathon. McCandless earned a record in 2022 for the Men’s Marathon, completing it in 2 hours, 21 minutes and 8 seconds.

Lee runs with the Good Boys Running Club and competes in the open relay. His team has won the 2023, 2022 and 2021 open relay races, which are based on a five-person team. His team completed the relay marathon in 2 hours, 20 minutes and 46 seconds.

Both men will be in Orlando for the 2024 marathon trials on Saturday, Feb. 3, where they will face a field of around 150 other runners who also beat the qualifying time for the trials.

Tyler McCandless

McCandless ran his qualifying marathon in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 18 seconds at the 2022 Los Angeles Marathon.

This is McCandless’ fourth Olympic qualifying attempt, having also raced in the 2012, 2016 and 2020 trials. He explained that each runner has about 18 months where they can run a qualifying marathon race to place in the Olympic marathon trials.

McCandless said he’s feeling good about Saturday’s race, and that his wife and two children have been enjoying the training process.

“I’m feeling good about it,” he said Monday.

He said the energy is very different from what is brought to the Colfax Marathon, but both have unique challenges.

“It’s just about getting the best out of yourself, you’re achieving your fitness level that is the best you can do on that day, then executing,” he said.

Garret Lee

Lee ran his qualifying marathon in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 57 seconds at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota.

This is Lee’s second Olympic attempt: He previously ran in the 2020 trials. The marathon will be a change from Lee’s participation in the Colfax Marathon open relay race, but Lee also races marathons.

He said the Olympic trials have a different energy than what is brought to the Colfax Marathon, and running in a marathon puts him in a different mindset.

“The Colfax relay is much more about community,” Lee said. “Usually we have two to three teams of guys of who run, so we’re talking about 10-15 guys. At the end, there’s the big party at City Park, so we love that.”

But he’s prepared for Saturday’s trials.

“It’s the most fun race — fans fly in, families fly in, and it’s a loop course so the crowd is more intense, louder,” he said. “A scream tunnel for like 2 hours and 16 minutes.”