ending with a 31.44-second bell lap, during which she passed several collegiate runners.
After a serving a four-year ban for doping, Shelby Houlihan returned to racing on February 1 at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and showed she has been able to keep herself in top shape over the years she has been in exile from pro running.
Against a field of collegians, Houlihan, 31, who is the American record holder in the 1500 meters, ran 8:31.56, the eighth-fastest time ever run by an American woman indoors. Houlihan was 5 seconds off of her own PR, 8:26.66, from February 2020.
For the first 1400 meters of the race, Houlihan was paced by Krissy Gear, who was the 2023 U.S. champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Gear led Houlihan through 200-meter laps of 33 to 35 seconds. After Gear stepped off the track, Houlihan Health - Injuries, Races - Places.
Houlihan set a facility and meet record, and she lapped every runner but one, Anika Thompson of the University of Oregon, who finished second in 9:05.75. Houlihan stayed on the track to high-five the college runners as they finished.
At the time of her failed drug test, Houlihan was training with the Nike-sponsored Bowerman Track Club. Nike parted ways with her after the ban, and she showed no visible signs of having a current sponsor. She wore a plain white crop top, black bottoms, and Nike spikes. She has been living with her boyfriend The Biggest and Best 5Ks to Race in the U.S, she told Runner’s World in November.
“I thought it went well,” Houlihan wrote in a text message to Runner’s World after the race. “I was really nervous going into it, but it felt really good to get back out there. I’m happy with that time, as it’s what I was going for. I felt a little rusty but also, very strong. The crowd and energy were awesome and everyone was super kind and supportive!”
On January 31, Nikki Hiltz, 30, who is the second-fastest American over 1500 meters behind Houlihan, began their 2025 track season by running 8:32.52 at the Terrier Classic at Boston University. Hiltz’s time was the fastest indoor 3,000 meters in the world so far this year—until Houlihan broke it less than 24 hours later, setting up what should be an interesting rivalry through the upcoming track season.
Sarah Lorge Butler is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World DAA Industry Opt Out, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
