2020 Olympic hopefuls. Good for NAU Elite and Hoka One One for giving these commited B level guys a chance to pursue their dreams. Best of luck!
2020 Olympic hopefuls. Good for NAU Elite and Hoka One One for giving these commited B level guys a chance to pursue their dreams. Best of luck!
For sure. I'm happy to see these guys go pro. Hoka seems to be doing a good job. All of this will also help running as a sport grow even more in the U.S. The more college guys that go pro the better. Hardly anyone is their best at age 22.
Here is the press release
Nice! Kudos to them.
What events will each specialize in? I'm guessing they will do all their training in Flagstaff?
Is it just me, or is the phrase "elite" getting watered down with some of these training groups?
I don't know about the term elite, but the idea that there people are running professionally. There are so many groups now and only some of them provide a "salary" enough to live on.
I have heard too many stories about athletes placing in the top 7 or so at USATF and they "signed" for $12,000. So when I read the press release and realize guys like this couldn't qualify for the USATF meet 5k (13:32), then I wonder what they are actually getting from this club? How do they pay rent and eat?
What do these groups like NYNJ, Zap Fitness, Furman Elite actually offer to a "professional" runner? Aside from the Bowerman, NOP, and brooks beats who just get a contract and then pay for life on their own, what do these other groups provide?
Zap Fitness pays housing and food (at their facility in Boone), health insurance, massage, travel to meets, and reebok gear. If you qualify, I believe you also receive a $500/month spending money. I know they have a certain amount of hours they're expected to work in hosting running camps that Zap hosts which seems like the athletes somewhat enjoy doing.
Yeah That's a good question. I'm sure they probably get all their gear, housing, massages, and maybe some food paid for? Do they have a base salary or is it all incentive based?
Maybe they can do something but Dohner and Lutz are not exactly world-beaters. I don't think either have sub-13:45 credentials. A dime a dozen regrettably.
White Fox wrote:
Yeah That's a good question. I'm sure they probably get all their gear, housing, massages, and maybe some food paid for? Do they have a base salary or is it all incentive based?
I wouldn't assume any of those things. There is much less support out there for American distance running, other than the 1st or 2nd-place finishers at the NCAA Championships than people think.
All their Hoka shoes are paid for and a singlet, but Hoka doesn't make "gear". Beyond shoes and not having to pay Ben, I would be shocked if the club pays anything towards housing or food. I could see massage and a set number of trips per person. I would guess incentives for A-standards, national team spots, or even just road race participation judging by their roster? Ultimately, they are working, leaning on parents, or living 6 in a 2-bedroom.
I wouldn't assume any of those things. There is much less support out there for American distance running, other than the 1st or 2nd-place finishers at the NCAA Championships than people think.
All their Hoka shoes are paid for and a singlet, but Hoka doesn't make "gear". Beyond shoes and not having to pay Ben, I would be shocked if the club pays anything towards housing or food. I could see massage and a set number of trips per person. I would guess incentives for A-standards, national team spots, or even just road race participation judging by their roster? Ultimately, they are working, leaning on parents, or living 6 in a 2-bedroom.[/quote]
THIS
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Lol they get more than shoes and a singlet dumby
Interesting.
I guess i would have assumed they would be getting much more than that.
Anyway, any guesses on how much they can improve and what times each can run within the next 14 or 15 months? What their training like?
Polly P wrote:
Maybe they can do something but Dohner and Lutz are not exactly world-beaters. I don't think either have sub-13:45 credentials. A dime a dozen regrettably.
I know it's not all that special compared to other guys, but to his credit, Lutz ran 13:40 this past indoor season. I think he's got a lot of room to improve.
Dohner ran 13:45 on the dot in 2013 outdoor (info from TFRRS).