Boulder Road Runners announces its community-funded athlete support program
Boulder, CO, January 25 – The Boulder Road Runners (BRR) are kicking off this 2024 Olympic year with Aspire OTQ, its new athlete support program. Aspire OTQ (Olympic Trials Qualifier) supports under-sponsored Colorado athletes who are aspiring to the Olympic Games. The initiative helps bridge financial gaps to provide high-achieving athletes with the necessary resources to pursue their Olympic dreams.
The public is invited to meet the Aspire OTQ athletes on Sunday, Jan 28 from 4:00-6:00 pm at BUILD Training Center in Louisville.
“Running and supporting Olympic hopefuls is a part of our community’s identity, which explains why we’ve had such a positive response to Aspire OTQ,” says Chris McDonald, President of BRR. “Club members overwhelmingly selected this initiative as our priority for 2024, and are actively supporting it with their time, talent, and treasure.”
At the Jan 28th event, the Aspire OTQ athletes will be specially introduced and honored. Event attendees will be able to meet them, participate in a Q&A, and hear their stories and goals.
“Like all the athletes in Aspire OTQ, I’m so grateful to be a part of this,” says Joey Berriatua, a top national steeplechaser. “We’re training at an elite level, but most of us can’t fully quit our day jobs. So to have a program like this to help fill gaps means we can keep persevering, and have a shot at realizing our Olympic dreams,” he explains.
Many elite runners struggle to bridge the gap between college and earning their first professional contracts, especially the financial cost of pursuing an Olympic dream. Colorado athletes in particular must travel to out-of-state competitions to secure their Olympic Trials qualifying marks, and sharpen their competitive skills. While some athletes do earn sufficient money from corporate sponsorships, most do not.
“Aspire OTQ is really important because getting corporate sponsorships is really competitive, and chasing these kinds of big dreams requires both time and money. The program helps alleviate some of that stress,” says Carmen Graves, also a top national steeplechaser.
Colorado has long been home to talented runners, and BRR has a history of supporting these Olympic hopefuls with financial grants. Aspire OTQ formalizes the Club’s long-standing tradition of helping high-level local athletes early in their careers.
“We’ve supported athletes who have not only made the U.S. Olympic Trials, but also went on to compete at the Olympic Games and even win Olympic medals and World Championship medals,” says McDonald. “When a homegrown talent like Val Constien from Edwards, CO, makes an Olympic final, our whole community celebrates along with her.”
Previous recipients of BRR grants include 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalists Jenny Simpson (1500 meters) and Emma Coburn (steeplechase), Tokyo Olympian Val Constien (steeplechase), Marathon Star Nell Rojas, and many other trials qualifiers.
“The Aspire OTQ program is bringing the running community together in a new way. Our club, elite athletes, local coaches, local businesses, and runners of all ages and abilities can get behind this,” McDonald adds.
Key community partners who are already supporting Aspire OTQ include BOLDERBoulder, Shoes & Brews, High Plains Bank, Genesis Inc, and Bell Bank. More are expected to join.
“For us, Aspire OTQ is yet another way for us to build our local running community,” says Cliff Bosely, BOLDERBoulder Race Director. “This is what it’s all about.”
To donate or learn more about Aspire OTQ, visit https://boulderroadrunners.org/aspire-otq/
The Boulder Road Runners was formed in 1979 to encourage and promote running, walking, and fitness-related activities for people of all ages and abilities, from the casual recreational runner to the serious competitor. The club is very active in the community, supporting CU running events, and hosting the renowned Summer Track and Field Series. Membership helps fund our programs that support our running community. Boulder Road Runners is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.boulderroadrunners.org.
Media Contact: Marcey Cote
marcey@mjcomm.net