Lauren Harris, a 27-year-old math teacher from Long Island, is aiming for Olympic glory at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a pursuit that comes after years of hesitation and a significant hiatus from the sport. Harris, who holds several American records in racewalking events ranging from 5K to a half marathon, is currently ranked 34th in the world and will face qualifiers in December.
"That’s the ultimate goal," Harris told The Post. "I keep saying: I’m all in for these Olympics and trying to make it."
Her current commitment marks a departure from her post-college attitude, where she considered stepping away from competitive racewalking. Harris admitted she "wasn’t mature enough yet, I think, to fully commit myself to the sport."
This tendency toward ambivalence traced back to high school, when she was nearly disqualified from the team for skipping practice to attend a basketball game. She avoided being removed from the team only after reading a letter of apology to her teammates and coaches.
Despite Harris's sometimes inconsistent dedication, two-time Olympian Maria Michta-Coffey, wife of her coach Joseph Coffey, recognized her considerable talent during her high school years. "She really had quite a bit of talent as a high schooler," Michta-Coffey said.
Even after college, encouraging Harris to reach her potential proved challenging, with frequent missed practices and training sessions. Michta-Coffey recalled Harris often citing fatigue or social commitments as reasons for skipping training. Harris ultimately took a three-year break from the sport starting in 2021 to focus on her teaching career, a financial necessity as racewalking alone does not provide sufficient income.
"Things kind of just spiraled downhill," Michta-Coffey said of Harris's athletic trajectory. "My husband and I would lament how she had this talent that got away. 'Could you imagine how good she could be? She has all this potential, too bad.' We just couldn’t get it right on track."
Harris found her way back to the sport around 2024, initially by coaching young runners and walkers, rekindling her passion. "I showed up to the meets, and it was so exciting," Harris said.
Watching the Paris Games that summer also served as a catalyst. "Then it’s like, I’m running every day, I’m in shape," she recalled. "Why don’t I just get back into walking and feel this joy of racing again?"
She then committed fully to qualifying for the World Championships in Tokyo the following September. "I had one year basically to become top 50 in the world," Harris stated.
During this period, she balanced her teaching responsibilities with rigorous training sessions, both on the road and track near her Lindenhurst apartment. Michta-Coffey noted a significant shift in Harris's mentality, describing her renewed determination as "unparalleled."
Harris not only made the top 50, finishing 27th in Tokyo, but also secured 13th place in the 2026 World Championships in Brazil. "I found some intrinsic motivation that I didn’t have prior," she said.
Her family and community are now actively supporting her Olympic aspirations. Her mother, Gina, manages behind-the-scenes logistics like meal preparation, while her father, Todd, accompanies her on training runs, regardless of weather conditions. Harris recounted a time her father donned a bright yellow rain suit to bike alongside her during a nine-mile run in freezing rain, demonstrating his unwavering support.
"He does not miss anything. I know how proud he is of me," Harris said.