Brooks Sports Inc. announced it has extended and enhanced its partnership with the Brooks-Hansons Original Distance Project (ODP). Brooks initially partnered with the Brooks-Hansons ODP in 2003 to serve as the exclusive footwear and apparel sponsor for the team, which is steeped in talent including top U.S. marathoner Brian Sell. With mutual commitment to and respect for the sport, both parties decided to extend their existing contract-well before its termination-another five years.
“From the start Brooks has been a phenomenal running partner for us,” said Brooks-Hansons ODP Co-founder and Coach Kevin Hanson. “Their energetic support propels our dream of restoring U.S. long distance running to the prominence of years past. With our partnership extension, we can now better focus our teams efforts on training for the Olympic Trials.”
Under the original contract, Brooks provided the Brooks-Hansons ODP performance gear and monetary support, which enabled them to add a competitive womens program in 2003. In addition to continued product support, Brooks will amplify its team investment under the extended contract by annually raising financial support until it represents a nearly 400 percent increase over original contract levels. These boosted resources allow coaches Kevin and Keith Hanson to more effectively recruit top post-collegiate runners with unique incentives, such as equal performance bonuses for the teams male and female runners.
“We are so proud of the Brooks-Hansons ODP team and what they represent for the sport,” said Brooks Sports Marketing Manager Jesse Williams. “Whether theyre competing at races, working in the Hansons Running shops, helping out with community events or blogging on brooksrunning.com, they inspire all of us to embrace the run and have fun.”
The 111th Boston Marathon on April 16, 2007, marks the Brooks-Hansons ODP teams first race under the new Brooks contract. Five team members will compete.
Brooks will soon introduce a new Brooks-Hansons ODP apparel collection-including singlets, tanks, shorts and more-for the public to join in supporting the team. The spring 2008 collection will debut early, in time for the Olympic Trials this November. A formidable presence, 17 Brooks-Hansons ODP athletes-14 men and three women-qualified for the marathon at the Trials.
Brothers Kevin and Keith Hanson started the Brooks-Hansons ODP in 1999 as a unique, grassroots training team to restore and raise the bar of U.S. distance running. They recruit post-collegiate athletes nationwide and give them the rare opportunity to live in a supportive, training-focused environment where they are able to pursue Olympic dreams and, more importantly, see just how fast they can get. Team members are provided employment, housing, coaching, health care and running gear.
