Matt Elliott To Chase IAAF World Championships “A” Standard In Heusden and Bottrop; Emotional Post-Race Video Goes Viral
Adirondack Distance Project Release
June 26, 2013
Editor’s Note: The article incorrectly states that none of the top-4 from USAs besides Centrowitz has the “B” standard, but Lopez Lomong actually does as he ran 3:36 indoors.
(Colorado Springs, CO) – After a surprise 4th-place finish in the 1500-meters at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships last week, Matt Elliott (Brooks I.D.) earned the opportunity to pursue the World Championships qualifying standard and has a chance to make the US National Team for Moscow. After a training stint at altitude in Colorado Springs, Elliot will compete in the KBC-Huesden meet in Belgium on July 13 and then the Bottrop Gala in Germany on July 19.
Only the top four finishers at the US championships are able to pursue qualifying marks, with the 1500-meter standards being 3:35.00 for the A and 3:37.00 for the B. By virtue of his win and his B mark, Matt Centrowicz is automatically on Team USA. None of the next three finishers, including Elliott, have either an A or B mark, and the US can only take a maximum of three if, at a minimum, three of the top four finishers earn at least two As and one B.
In the days since the 1500-meter final, a emotional post-race video interview featuring Elliott breaking down as he encourages young people not to quit on their dreams has gone viral, amassing 27,871 views in three days and inspiring a Runner’s World article. The video can be viewed online at http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/250797-USA-Outdoor-Track-Field-Championships-2013/video/715050-Matthew-Elliott-Full-Time-Teacher-Gers-4th-at-USAs-Watch-this-Interview and the article can be found at http://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/school-teacher-might-make-world-championships-team
With no contract or financial shoe company support, Elliott’s training camp in Colorado and his travel to Europe will be funded by the non-profit American Distance Project and by Elliott himself. Join other individual supporters and organizations, like the New York Road Runners and the USA Track & Field Foundation, by making a donation to support the efforts of the American Distance Project at http://www.americandistanceproject.com/Index/Donate.html