For years, the primary option for collegiate distance runners with experience in cross country and 5,000- and 10,000-meter racing on the track was to immerse in high-mileage training after graduation and try to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon. The latest to do so is newly minted Brooks trail running team member Meika Beaudoin-Rousseau, a recent Stanford graduate from Sunnyvale, California, who was a strong cross country runner for the Cardinal with a 13:39 personal best for 5,000 meters on the track. "And then as soon as I discovered that world of competitive trail running, I was like, 'This is absolutely what I wanna do when I finish up college."
January marks the season when many professional runners announce sponsorship changes. Here’s why that’s important, and what it means for the future of running.