Courtesy: Courtesy Photo

MOUNT PLEASANT – Former Central Michigan University track and field athletes Dave Ernsberger and Luke Humphrey are set to run in the U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials this Saturday, Nov. 3 in New York City.

Ernsberger posted a qualifying time of 2:18:56 at the 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon while Humphrey has a pair of qualifying times at the 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon (2:15:22) and the 2006 B.B.A. Boston Marathon (2:15:23).

A total of 134 runners have qualified for the trials but final declarations have not been made.

“It’s great to have a couple of Chippewas competing,” coach Craig Fuller said. “The New York City Marathon is also this weekend so there are going to be a lot of runners and race fans in town for the event. I hear we have several alums that are going to cheer them on.

“Both of them have thought about their race plans and I don’t think they are going to try and run out with the lead pack.”

The 26.2-mile race begins in front of Rockefeller Center on 50th Street and passes several New York City landmarks, including Radio City Music Hall, Times Square and Carnegie Hall, before runners begin loops in Central Park.

The start of the event will be shown live on NBC’s Today Show and the race can also be seen live online at www.nbcsports.com.

The top three runners will earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.

Ernsberger won both the 3000m and 5000m titles at the 2005 MAC indoor championships en route to co-Most Valuable Performer honors. Humphrey was a first team All-MAC cross country runner in 2000.

Ernberger is representing Runners while Humphrey is a member of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project.