July 27, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. -- The NCAA season is over and the U.S. Olympic Trials have come and gone, but the Heath brothers continue run. Elliott Heath and Garrett Heath traveled to Europe this summer to run a series of meets on the European circuit and both have been highly successful running against some of the best athletes in the world.

Garrett graduated in 2009, but has since earned a Master's degree and is pursuing a PhD at Stanford. He has also worked as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Cardinal while running professionally for Saucony. His attempt at glory at the U.S Olympic Trials fell just short, but since then Garrett has been busy lowering his personal bests in Europe.

After a series of races in the U.S. and Canada this spring, the older Heath had lowered his PR to 3:36 in the 1,500 meters, running that same time on multiple occasions.

His European tour began in Heusden, Belgium where he placed second in a fast 1,500, running 3:36.65. Later, he moved on to Sparkhaggen, Germany where he ran a tactical race, finishing fourth in 3:38.33. A couple days later, he ran nearly an identical time, but improved to second at the Cappeentanta Games in Kimpinen, Finland. The times were slightly off his personal best, but showed he could mix it up with some top competition in more tactical races.

Later, Garrett move don to a true mile and ran an outdoor personal best of 3:57.18 at the Morton Games in Dublin, Ireland. The race was against an elite field that saw 10 athletes break the four-minute barrier.

Garrett also broke an outdoor personal best in the 3,000 meters in Szczecin, Poland, running a time of 7:51.34 at the Kusoc Meet.

Garrett's younger brother, Elliott has also been busy earning his first experience on the pro circuit after finishing up his Stanford eligibility during this past indoor season. The former NCAA Champion in the 3,000 meters placed seventh at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 5,000, but has an extremely bright professional career ahead of him.

Elliott began the trip by winning a pair of 1,500-meter heats, first at Kortrijk, Belgium in 3:43.51. Then he set a personal best in the event, running 3:40.17 to win his heat and place second overall at a meet in Nivove, Belgium.

He then moved on to run the mile in Cork, Ireland and finishing with his first sub-four minute mile with a mark of the trip at 3:58.48.

The younger Heath's top performance was likely at the Morton Games in Dublin, however, as he ran 7:45.26 to place second and set a personal best in the event. The time lowered his personal best in the event that he was NCAA Champion back in 2011.

While all eyes are on the Olympics in London, the Heath brothers will continue to train and race through the summer.

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