Former Big Sur Distance Project seeks "elite potential" athlete interest

Former Big Sur Distance Project seeks "elite potential" athlete interest 9/30/2006 12:21PM

This is Mike Dove of The Big Sur Marathon Board of Directors. I am investigating ways that the Marathon, under our budget constraints, can still attempt to support elite and potential elite athletes. We have a great environment already set up on the Californa Central Coast that supported the Big Sur Distance Project and I hope we can use this to continue supporting U.S.Distance running.

Several of us in the area want to get the word out informally to see if any "elite potential" athletes would be interested in moving to and living in the Monterey area based on the scenario provided below. Elite potential would be those post collegiate women and men, aged 22 to 27, who either have or are reasonably close to USATF qualifying standards.

If there is athlete interest they should e-mail me at mnjdove@aol.com with a running and employment resume and current coaches recommendation and contact information. Also dates when they would be available to move to Monterey.
We would like these by the end of October. A decision will not be made until then.

Under our proposal Athletes would receive:
1. Opportunity to train with an elite level group of runners in a nearly perfect all-year training environment on the Monterey Peninsula of California.

2. Coaching by Mark Conover, current Coach at Cal Poly. Mark is an Olympian, Big West Cross Country Coach of the Year 6 times, NCAA Regional Cross Country Coach of the Year. Mark is located two hours south of Monterey, but would visit occasionally. Most coaching would be via email and phone.

3. The Marathon organization would provide Shoes and uniform, warm ups, etc.

4. Free (in most routine cases) medical support team including doctors, dental hygienist, physical therapy, chiropractic, and acupuncture.

5. Because of the marathon's relationship with the local university,California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB), athletes would pay for housing at approximately 40% less than the market rate on the Monterey Peninsula (housing is expensive here). 2 bedroom, 1 bath unfurnished houses at CSUMB currently rent for $1,055 a month. This includes water, garbage, sewer, cable, and high speed internet. Gas and Electric is extra and typically runs from $35 to $100 a month depending on usage. In the past, 3 athletes have shared one house.

6. CSUMB would provide free recreation center, weight room, and pool use. Parking passes are required at the University for University lots which are $53 a quarter.

7. Local runners and business people will help find full time and part time flexible professional employment.

8. Olympians Linda Sommers Smith and Maria Trujillo, Former Elite runner Jay Marden, and former middle distance Chinese National Team member and current cross country coach at CSUMB, Yi Mao, will all provide advice/counseling, etc. via e-mail and conversation.

9. If we acquire additional corporate sponsorship or financial support then we would hope to provide a full service training center with additional housing money, travel, athlete stipends. Athletes would be involved in this
decision. There is absolutely no guarantee that we will get additional support however, as we have not been able to get this support in the past. We continue to work on this however.

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