Duran (and) Duran hungry like the wolf for Paralympics

Update Mon., July 22: Despite a solid performance, with Jonathan taking second place (4:02.21) and Jordan placing third (4:03.82), the Durans did not qualify for Team USA.

Jonathan and Jordan Duran will make a run for the 2024 Paralympic Games in France on Saturday when they compete at the U.S. Paralympic Trials in Miramar, Fla.

“They definitely have a chance,” said Amanda Rego, associate head coach for cross country and track and field at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

The twins are on the autism spectrum, making them eligible to pursue spots in the Paralympic Games, which follow the Olympic Games in Paris and will run from Aug. 24 through Sept. 8. The brothers are shooting for a time of about 3 minutes, 55 seconds in the 1,500 meters — about five seconds faster than their previous bests. They just missed out on qualifying for the World Para Athletics Championships this year after finishing second and third at the National Championships.

“We’ve been training hard, working hard, eating right and sleeping right. We’re getting stronger and faster,” Jordan said.

Qualifying for Team USA for the Paralympic Games in track and field is extremely difficult. Team USA brings a set number of competitors to the Paralympic Games, so finishing, say, in the top three of an event at the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials might not be good enough. The selection committee evaluates times and performances and extends invitations to those deemed closest to the highest level. Only 60 competitors from the U.S. will go to the Paralympics in track and field.

“This is all very new for them, and it would be a huge bonus if they could make the team this year,” Rego said. “Down the road, hopefully they’ll have many more chances to compete in more events, but the Paralympic Games are only once every four years, so we’re hoping they can get there this year.”

The Durans have already made one trip to France this year, where they competed in a Grand Prix meet and went through the final stage of paperwork and interviews for verification of their Paralympics eligibility.

“It was fantastic,” Jonathan said. “We got to see different cultures compared to America, and the differences in transportation. It’s a different language, and it’s so beautiful. There’s a very rich culture.”

In the race, Jonathan noted how much the pace slowed down after the first lap. He was in position to make a run, but he was passed on the final lap as he began to make his move. Jordan said he was shoved by one of the competitors.

“It was a good experience for them,” Rego said. “They looked really nervous when they walked out there — they’d never seen anything like that. But once they got the nerves out of the way, they had a blast. They had kids begging for their autographs, and the kids tried to take their MSU Denver singlets that they ran in.”

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The Duran brothers originally joined the MSU Denver program as student managers in fall 2022, sitting out a season of competition while completing the requirements needed for them to become eligible as NCAA student-athletes.

Once that was achieved, Rego started the twins on the path for the Paralympics about a year ago, after learning about Mikey Brannigan of Colorado Springs, a Paralympics star in the 1,500. The twins already knew who Brannigan was, and now they are competing against him.

While training year-round for their shot at the Paralympics, the Duran Duran duo also continued to compete for MSU Denver in cross country in fall and then during the indoor (winter) and outdoor (spring) track-and-field seasons. The Hospitality Leadership majors also have excellent cumulative grade-point averages of 3.52 (Jonathan) and 3.30 (Jordan).

Working together for a common competitive goal has helped the brothers thrive.

“We love to compete together, and we motivate each other,” Jonathan said.

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The Durans are prepared to do their best and see if it’s good enough to make it to the Paralympic Games. They are also prepared should only one of them make the team.

“There’s a chance I could be going, and there’s a chance that my brother could be going,” Jonathan said. “It just depends on how the race goes.”

Despite spending nearly a year in constant training, the Durans vow to be ready to go for MSU Denver once the cross-country season begins, targeting the Sept. 21 Roadrunners Invitational at Washington Park for their return. They are typically among the team’s top five runners, usually not far behind Noel Lopez and JJ Ramey, each of whom qualified individually for the Division II National Championships last year.

“The goal for cross country is to be (team) national champions,” Jordan said. “We’re coming back for our teammates. We’ll be stronger and faster.”

But first comes a shot at glory on the world stage.