Track and Field | 6/1/2016 4:23:00 PM

SAN FRANCISCO – When San Francisco alumna Maor Tiyouri '14 crossed the finish line at the Ottawa Marathon last weekend, it was a milestone moment. Not only was it her first-ever marathon, but her time of 2:42:22 earned her entry to the 2016 Olympic Games.
 
Tiyouri, a native of Kfar Saba, Israel, is now eligible to compete in Rio for her home country in the 26.2-mile road race.
 
"The conditions were pretty rough and it was very difficult the last couple miles but I knew I was on pace to hit the standard and I just hung tough and went for it," Tiyouri explained. "I am truly in shock, and I feel so lucky to have this opportunity.  It has been a lot of hard work and I am so thankful for the people who have supported me along the way."
 
Tiyouri finished in seventh in the women's division, and joined Latvia's Arana Hilborn and Mary Joy Tabal of the Philippines in achieving the IAAF's Olympic entry standard of 2:45.
 
Although this will be the 25-year-old's first Olympic appearance, Tiyouri has experience competing internationally, and is a three-time Israeli national champion (2013 – 15,00 m and 5,000 m; 2015 – 1,500 m). She is also the current national record holder in the 5,000-meter distance, with a mark of 16:08.83 set at the 2015 Mt. SAC Relays.
 
Along with her accomplishments in international competition, Tiyouri enjoyed a successful running career for the Green and Gold. She was a member of four consecutive WCC cross country champion teams, and made two trips to the NCAA Cross Country Championships with the Dons. Tiyouri was a three-time NCAA qualifier on the track, including two 10,000-meter semifinal appearances.
 
"I am so proud of Maor and what she has accomplished in her first marathon," said USF track and cross country head coach Helen Lehman-Winters. "Since her graduation she has made a lot of sacrifices and has remained focused on her long term goals, and it is phenomenal that her dreams have become reality."