In one of the biggest upsets in U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon history, under gusty conditions and on a hilly course, Mark Conover, 27, from San Luis Obispo, Calif. surprised the field and the running pundits with the win. Conover and Ed Eyestone took control of the race after 17 miles and worked together over the final miles.

With a mile remaining, Conover, who came into the Trials race with the 67th fastest qualifying time (2:18:03), pulled away from Eyestone for the stunning victory. 1984 Trials winner Pete Pfitzinger surged late to earn the final Olympic spot for Seoul, Korea.

This Olympic Trials Marathon was the first one to award prize money ($150,000) and Conover’s $50,000 was the largest first place payout in the marathon to-date.