Desiree Davila was a collegiate also-ran who blossomed into an Olympic caliber marathoner–just like 2008 Olympian Brian Sell and 2004 Olympic alternate Trent Briney. All three have been coached by Kevin and Keith Hanson, of the Michigan-based Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. "We don't start with national champions," Kevin Hanson says, "so we have to work smarter." Here are four key concepts the Hansons use to turn mortals into marathon greats.
