Thursday, February 08, 2007

Montrail-Nathan Ultra Running Team

give up your high paying job, train your ass off, race hard... and good things happen? sometimes.

after my performance at the hurt 100km i was named to the montrail-nathan national ultrarunning team! this is very exciting for me, and means a new focus in my solo racing. i just signed my first "professional" contract - weird. the team which includes legends like dave horton, has some of the top ultrarunner in the world on board. i'm in very good company.

so what does this mean for me as an endurance mtn bike racer? i consider last year a success. but it was so expensive, without a big sponsor i unfortunately cannot afford to compete in this sport.

think about the cost included with flying to one 24hr mtn bike race:
  • buy and maintain two $6,000 bikes
  • fly two bikes to events = $200 each way = $400 total usually
  • paying for my top notch mechanic to attend events = $$$
now let's look at ultrarunning:

yep that's it.. nothing - just show up with some montrail continental divides and go nutz! beautiful simplicity.

blurb:
“When Montrail selects athletes we look for athletic ability and outgoing individuals that have the charisma and “know-how” to gain positive exposure for Montrail” says Paul Curran, director of trail running promotions for Montrail Shoes. “The athletes we sponsor are ambassadors-they truly believe in our products and they communicate their experiences and knowledge with others.” Montrail, at the leading edge of trail running shoe development since 1988, has sponsored the nation’s top endurance runners since 1996. Besides Montrail, the national team is supported by Nathan (hydration packs), nuun (electrolyte drink), Clif Bar (energy bars), Petzl (headlamps), and First Endurance (energy/recovery drink).

6 Comments:

Crash said...

Congrats! That is pretty exciting!

9:25 AM  
dan said...

Congratulations! You've almost got me convinced to quit my job, but I suppose I ought to finish some races and get some people who want me to coach them first.

2:39 PM  
Hart said...

i think everyone should quit their jobs and do what they love! if ultra distance racing is it, then go for it!

thanks guys

8:21 AM  
Special-T said...

I've been following along your success route/blog. I can't see how you wouldn't make the team....congratz! See you in Baja with Rick.

Thomas
ThinAir/Aquan AR

4:31 PM  
Trail Goat said...

Matt, Congrats on joining the MNURT team. I was out crewing and pacing at HURT and your performance was exceptional, especially when you consider that you'd never raced that far. Having chatted with you briefly out in Hawaii, Montrail, Nathan et al. are fortunate to have you represent them.

2:55 PM  
Hart said...

thanks trail goat.. make sure to tell the sponsors that when you see them around!

3:20 PM  

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