Glendale’s Garcia Returns to Guatemala to Train for Shot at the Olympic Marathon

Hugo Allan Garcia, the 1990 state junior college cross-country champion for Glendale College, has returned to his native Guatemala to train for the marathon and will not run for the Vaqueros this track season.

Garcia had a disappointing sophomore cross-country season, finishing eighth in the state meet last November. Glendale cross-country Coach Eddie Lopez said he felt fortunate Garcia stuck around as long as he did.

“He wanted to go home after the summer, but I talked him into staying,� Lopez said. “He wanted to get in a good training base last fall and not have to worry about racing.�

If Garcia runs faster than two hours 20 minutes in the marathon, he will qualify for the Guatemalan Olympic team.

Lopez said Garcia, runner-up in the 10,000 meters at the state track championships last May, might return to Glendale next year and compete for the Vaqueros’ track team.