Northern Arizona Elite Sings Multi-Year Deal With Hoka One One
Press Release
March 13, 2018
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona Elite announced today that the team has signed a new multi-year partnership with HOKA ONE ONE® through the 2020 Olympic cycle.
NAZ ELITE began its partnership with HOKA in February of 2015. One year later, HOKA NAZ Elite placed two athletes in the top ten at the United States Olympic Marathon Trials and three athletes in the top ten at the United States Olympic Track and Field Trials, including two fourth-place finishes. HOKA NAZ Elite athletes have competed at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, the World Half Marathon Championships and the World Track and Field Championships.
“HOKA Northern Arizona Elite is a tremendous group of athletes training in one of the best distance-running locations in the world,” said Mike McManus, Senior Sports Marketing Manager for HOKA ONE ONE. “Training groups like theirs provide the support and resources athletes need to develop and compete with the world’s best, and we are excited to continue supporting them as they continue pushing their limits.”
The 2018 HOKA NAZ Elite Roster includes established stars Scott Fauble and Kellyn Taylor who each finished fourth at the 2016 Olympic Trials over 10,000 meters. Taylor has run three marathons under 2:30 and recently finished eighth at the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon. Fauble ran his debut marathon in 2:12:35 at the 2017 Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. He joins teammates Aaron Braun, Matt Llano and Scott Smith who have all run 2:12 for the marathon distance. The team also features 2016 National Cross Country Champion Craig Lutz and six-time Northern Arizona University All-American, Futsum Zienasellassie. Joining Taylor on the women’s side is Stephanie Bruce who was tenth in New York City and has become one of the most recognizable figures in U.S. distance running, known for her fast times as well as for her transparency on social media.
The team’s newest member is seven-time U.S. National Champion Aliphine Tuliamuk. Signed in January, Tuliamuk moved to Flagstaff in February and will compete in this weekend’s United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. Another change to the roster will be veteran Ben Bruce, who will move into an assistant coaching role in addition to continuing his career as an athlete.
“We love the HOKA brand, we love the shoes and we love the people,” said HOKA NAZ Elite Head Coach Ben Rosario. “For the company to commit to us financially for three full years in a way that will allow us to be truly professional means we will have all the resources we need to compete at the very highest level possible.”