Samantha Berndt and Hannah Butler Complete the Marathon

DALLAS, Texas -- Two V-Hawks traveled to Dallas this past weekend to compete in the NAIA Marathon Championships at the BMW Dallas Marathon. Sophomore Samantha Berndt and Hannah Butler set off on the course to race the 26.2 miles under 50-60 degree temperatures and an overcast sky. 

Through 26.2 miles, both V-Hawks managed to get their races completed under the 3:30:00 mark. Hannah Butler came in 32nd place with a finishing time of 3:29:41. Butler averaged an 8:00/mile pace, securing her spot as the 4th best marathon performance in V-Hawk history. Samantha Berndt came in 28th place, racing a 3:24:58, averaging out to a 7:50/mile pace. Her time earned her a spot as the 3rd fastest marathon time in V-Hawk history. 

Berndt's time of 3:24:58 also earned the sophomore a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon. In the 18-34 year old women's division, 3:25:00 is the cutoff for the Boston Marathon. Samantha Berndt earned a qualifying time by just two seconds.

The Boston Marathon will take place on April 20, 2026.