History of Support
Success Story: Val Constien
Aspire OTQ is a Boulder Road Runners (BRR) program. Boulder has long been home to talented runners, and BRR has a history of supporting these Olympic hopefuls. Every year, a portion of BRR member fees goes to community initiatives, including athlete support.
BRR has previously made financial grants to many high-level local athletes early in their careers, including 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 including Carrie Verdon, Frank Lara, and Dave Goodman.
Val Constien, who made it to the 2021 Tokyo games as an unsponsored steeplechaser, knows firsthand the barriers athletes face in trying to compete at the elite level.
Val Constien, 2021 Olympian, received a grant from the Boulder Road Runners when she was under-sponsored, training and working in Boulder, and aiming for the Olympics.
“Securing sponsors is very competitive and even political,” says Constien, a CU Buffs alum. “Even if you’re a deserving athlete, if you’re not in the right place, or don’t know the right people, you can miss out on a chance to make much-needed money,” she says.
Constien’s story is especially inspiring as a 2021 Olympian with meaningful roots in the Boulder community. She graduated from CU in 2019 after running cross country and track over a five-year span. After college, Constien continued training in Boulder – at an elite level – all the while lacking sponsorship, and working a full-time job.
“I did not have a contract, and just buying running shoes was a financial strain,” she says.
In 2021, BRR gave Constien a grant to help her race in Tokyo. “The grant from BRR helped me keep my head above water. It meant I could save my money to buy better food and training gear,” Constien explains. “I was even able to buy a fresh pair of shoes for the Olympics, which helped me fight through the steeplechase prelim race, and go on to finish 12th in the final!”
Constien is an advisor to the Aspire OTQ program. She continues to speak at fundraising events, collaborate with the steering committee, and connect with Aspire OTQ athletes. “I feel so lucky to have had so much support and success, and it only feels right to give back,” she beams.
“Aspire OTQ is so important. Chasing your dream takes time and money, and most people don’t have an abundance of both,” Constien says. “Aspire OTQ relieves some of the financial stress associated with training, racing, and traveling.”
In April 2023, Constien signed a professional contract with Nike. She is currently training for the 2024 Olympics.