Allen, Texas – Race production and running outreach company The Active Joe has entered into a three year commitment to support the Western States Endurance Run as a sponsor for 2014-2016. The Western States Endurance Run is the oldest and most well-known 100 mile race in the United States, running along the Western States Trail from Squaw Valley, California, to end in Auburn, California.
The Active Joe owner Libby Jones has attended the Western States Endurance Run the previous two years and fell in love with the race. “In 2012, I was a volunteer in a wetsuit in the American River at Rucky Chucky through the middle of the night, helping runners cross. It inspired me to commit to run my first 50 mile race. In 2013, I returned as crew chief for a local Dallas runner who was running his first 100 mile race.”
A race producer herself, Jones was impressed with the mission of the non-profit Western States Endurance Run Foundation. In addition to helping set standards in the organization of 100-mile endurance events, they promote trail stewardship and emphasize their role through maintenance and support of the Western States trail. The WSER Foundation also supports quite a lot of medical research into ultrarunning that helps the sport and the community.
“Since I primarily enjoy running trail ultramarathons, sponsorship seemed like a great way for me to get more involved and give back to the sport and support a race that I love,” said Jones.
As part of the sponsorship, Jones was told that she receives an automatic entry for a qualified runner as a sponsored athlete for The Active Joe. Dallas runner Jennifer Kimble was chosen because she exemplifies qualities we promote in runners of The Active Joe events. Kimble is a strong midpack local runner who is also a mom of 3, a running coach, a triathlete, a past program director for a local charity, and a past group training program coordinator. Kimble had run a 100 mile race to qualify for Western States each of the last 4 years but had yet to have her name drawn in the lottery.
“We’re very happy that we can promote ultrarunning as a sport and support this historic event now and into the future,” Jones said. “Jennifer and I look forward to being at next year’s event on June 28th!”
Info on Future Sponsored Athletes:
June 2019 event: Kelli Coleman of Dallas, TX
June 2018 event: Pam Smith of Salem, OR
June 2017 event: Jess Mullen of Seattle, WA
June 2016 event: Michael Wagner of Albuquerque, NM
June 2015 event: Robert Lopez of Seattle, WA
The Active Joe was founded in 2008 with the mission of providing running outreach to the local community. The organization produces the New Years Double (December/January), the Fairview Half Marathon and 5K (April), and The Showdown Half Marathon and 5K (October). All events are located in the suburbs north of Dallas, Texas. Owner Libby Jones has been an active member of the leadership of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community for several years and is an avid ultrarunner. For more information go to www.TheActiveJoe.com.
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