Hall Adds to Superb Career

Seldom in world-class marathons do you see a finishing kick like that one Sara Bei Hall '05 displayed at the London Marathon on Oct. 4.

Over the last of 19 laps around St. James Park, Hall found herself 40 seconds behind second-place Ruth Chepngetich. But as the finish line drew near, Hall closed in quickly and ultimately passed Chepngetich with around 150 yards to go.

The result was not only dramatic, but the time of 2:22:01 improved Hall's standing as the sixth-fastest U.S. marathoner ever and was a personal best. And her runner-up finish was a huge accomplishment for an American runner in one of the world's most prestigious races. 

Hall, 37, continues to add to what already has been a superb career. 

At Stanford, she was a six-time All-American, six-time conference champion, and four-time NCAA runner-up.

She won two Pac-10 individual cross country titles, was a two-time Pac-10 5,000-meter champion, and won MPSF indoor titles in the 3,000 and distance medley relay. She was a four-time NCAA runner-up in track – twice in the outdoor 5,000 and once each in the indoor 3,000 and DMR.

Hall helped Stanford to four Pac-10 cross country championships and her third-place finish led Stanford to the 2003 NCAA cross country crown. In 2015, she was among five Stanford runners named to the 12-member Pac-12 All-Century team in women's cross country. 

As a post-collegian, Hall was the 2012 U.S. cross country champion and twice raced in the World Cross Country Championships. She has won U.S. titles on the roads at distances between the mile and the marathon, and her half-marathon best of 1:08:18 is No. 6 among Americans all-time. She also won gold in the steeplechase at the 2011 Pan Am Games.

The Santa Rosa, Calif., native is married to Stanford teammate Ryan Hall '05, an Olympic marathoner and they have four children. The Halls formed the Hall Steps Foundation to empower the running community to use the energy and resources that fuel runners' athletic achievements for social justice efforts.

With her performance in London, Hall also holds another distinction: She is the fastest women's marathoner and steeplechaser among Stanford's all-time athletes. 

Here is the track and field absolute record list for all-time Stanford athletes, including alumni: