Brent Woodle

Bio

Brent Woodle is one of the fastest masters marathoners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with a personal record of 2:28 and recent performances including 2:28:26 at the Indianapolis Marathon and 2:39:05 at the Dallas Marathon. What makes Brent's running career remarkable is that he never ran competitively in high school or college. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Brent moved to Dallas 16 years ago to start a career as a software engineer—a position he still holds today. With no friends in his new city and a bucket list goal to run a marathon, he joined every running club he could find, including TNSR, DRCI, and White Rock Running Co-op, where he discovered both a community and a competitive outlet. Brent's approach to marathon training is unconventional and meticulous. He runs twice a day, six days per week, logging 100+ mile weeks during training cycles. His philosophy prioritizes frequency over intensity, believing that multiple shorter runs reduce injury risk while building greater overall fitness. He starts each day with a brisk 20-30 minute walk followed by a workout or easy run, then adds a very easy zone one run in the evening. Beyond the miles, Brent's success comes from attention to detail: eight hours of sleep every night, disciplined nutrition including race-day fueling of up to 900 calories, no alcohol during training blocks, and a stable work-from-home routine that supports consistent training. He's learned through experience about the importance of mental recovery, having battled burnout before the Houston Marathon and discovering that rest periods are essential even for elite athletes. When he's not running, Brent is a dedicated father to his 4-year-old and 6-year-old, balancing elite athletic pursuits with family life. He's been married for nearly 10 years and previously enjoyed running trips with his wife before focusing more on family vacations in recent years. Looking ahead to 2026, Brent plans to race the Paris Marathon in April and return to Chicago—where he set his PR—in the fall, all at age 41. He believes he still has the ability to get in his best shape, proving that consistency, discipline, and smart training can produce elite results well into the masters years. Brent's journey from casual runner to sub-2:30 marathoner demonstrates that competitive excellence doesn't require a youth running background—just dedication, smart training, and the wisdom to know when to push and when to rest.