RUNNING USA – The American Distance Project – 2014 Allan Steinfield Development Award – By: Leah Etling, Running USA wire

Post-college, many of our most talented American runners are faced with a difficult decision. Do they continue to run at the highest level, and attempt a professional career? It may be a dream they’ve held since childhood. But without support from a team, sponsor or family, the fiscal realities of chasing that dream can be daunting.

Over the last decade, a number of small elite distance support programs have sprung up around the United States. They bring together top runners who want to continue to run at the highest levels, and ultimately achieve Olympic and international success.

The Allan Steinfeld Development Award, a grant established by non-profit Running USA, is now in its fifth year. In 2014, the recipient of that award was the Colorado-based American Distance Project (ADP), coached by Scott Simmons. Past recipients are Team USA Minnesota, Team USA Arizona, The Mammoth Track Club, and ZAP Fitness.

In February, the ADP was awarded the $25,000 grant at Running USA’s annual conference. All of this money is provided directly to the team to spend on athlete support. In past years, the grant dollars have gone toward athlete housing, travel and medical care, training equipment and coaching, physical therapy support, and much more.

“The grant from Running USA enabled the American Distance Project to do many things that we were not able to do over the past six years,” Simmons told us. “This includes providing coaching stipends, providing athlete massage services and providing very important blood testing for our athletes.”  

Meanwhile, the athletes of the ADP have been able to focus on what they do best: training hard and running extremely fast. Among the results ADP athletes have achieved this year:

• Mattie Suver and Wendy Thomas qualified to represent the USA at the World Half Marathon Championships.
• Suver, Alisha Williams and Rochelle Kanuho were all in the top 6 at the USA Cross Country Championships.
• Joe Gray, 4^th at the USA Cross Country Championships, led the US men to first place team wins at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Cross Country Championships. Gray is also one of America’s best mountain runners.
• Brianne Nelson was named RRCA Runner of the Year. She was 2^nd at Grandma’s Marathon, 3^rd at the USA Marathon Championships and USA 10 Mile Championships, 4^th at the USA 20K and 25K Championships, and 1^st at the Great Cow Harbor 10K.

Without the support of a team, coach, fellow athletes and funding partners, those exceptional results would be impossible.

“It really makes such a difference to know that you have teammates that can work together with in workouts and races, and that support each other 100% and are genuinely happy for each others' successes,” Mattie Suver recently told USA Running Circuit. “Without them, I would not be where I am in my running.”

Running USA is proud to support our developing American distance talent, and we cannot do so without your help.

Please donate today to support the 2015 Allan Steinfeld Development Award and our next group of honorees. Visit this link to donate today.

RUNNING USA