U.S. 5000m and 10,000m record holder Alicia Monson announced she has undergone season-ending surgery on her meniscus.

Here’s what you need to know:

– Monson announced the injury on Instagram. She wrote: “Several days after the Ten last month, I was on a run when I felt a crack/pop in my knee. It was such a random event that we thought it was nothing serious but when I still couldn’t run without pain, I eventually got an MRI that showed a medial meniscus complete root tear. Attempting to run through it until the Olympic Trials and Olympics would be dangerous (if not impossible) and the tear requires surgery with a long recovery. On Wednesday I got the meniscus sutured and reattached at the root. Having this track season end when it had just been getting started sucks. I’ve been working toward the opportunity to compete at another Olympics for the USA, so sitting this one out is going to hurt. But, I know watching my friends and competitors this season will serve as inspiration as I return to running. Taking the time to heal properly will benefit the rest of my career (and life). I’m leaning on my patience, skills, and people helping me to make sure I do it right. Currently embracing my path and getting down to business re-learning how to activate my quads.”

– Monson was training well this spring and planned on lowering her American record at Sound Running’s The Ten on March 16th. She dropped out of that race due to stomach issues.

– Monson’s only indoor race was a 9:09.70 to break the indoor American record in the two-mile at the Millrose Games.

– Monson has made the last three U.S. teams in the 10,000m and the last two U.S. teams in the 5000m. She finished 14th in the 5000m and fifth in the 10,000m at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. She was 13th in the 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics.

– It’s an unfortunate blow for American hopes to try and crack the East African stronghold in the 10,000m. At the moment, Monson and U.S. half marathon record holder Weini Kelati are the only American women who have run under the 30:40 Olympic qualifying standard. Although finding good, fast conditions to race a fast 10,000m race can be hard to come by, Americans have two good opportunities to chase the standard at Track Fest on May 11th in Los Angeles and the Night of The 10K PBs in London on May 20th.

– Katie Izzo (15th), Fiona O’Keeffe (13th), Elly Henes (17th) and Natosha Rogers (22nd) are all within the World Rankings quota.

– Reigning U.S. champion Elise Cranny does not have the Olympic qualifying standard, is currently ranked 32nd in the world and has not raced the 10,000m since her 12th place finish in 31:57.51 at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.