Allen, Texas – Race production and running outreach company The Active Joe has committed to another three year contract to continue serving as a sponsor of the Western States Endurance Run. The Active Joe recently completed its first three years of sponsorship and is excited to announce Jess Mullen of Seattle, Washington as its 2017 sponsored athlete in its 4th year of sponsoring the race.
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 attended and volunteered at the 2012 race and fell in love with the event. A race producer herself, Jones was also 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 a lot of medical research into ultrarunning that helps the sport and the community.
As part of the sponsorship, The Active Joe chooses a sponsored athlete each year from the qualified runners who apply to the lottery, and the chosen individual receives an automatic entry. For 2017, Jess Mullen, of Seattle, WA, will be representing The Active Joe.
Jess is a registered dietitian and running coach. She loves to work with endurance athletes on their food and training. She also likes to push herself, learning and growing each year as an ultrarunner herself. The beauty of the trails, the camaraderie of the runners and the selfless nature of all the volunteers drew Jess into the ultra community 10 years ago. She has since run in over 100 ultras, including 32 100+ milers and has volunteered at multiple races every year. Her favorite race distance is the 100 miler and she has placed first woman at 6 of her 100+ mile races.
"I have always wanted to run Western States," says Mullen. "I have qualified most years since I started running ultras but have never been selected." This year Jess completed two qualifying races, the San Diego 100 and Cascade Crest 100. "I am beyond excited to go to Western States and to represent The Active Joe."
Jess winning overall female at the 2016 Uwharrie 100 (Photo credit: Joel Johns)
Why is Jess a great representative of The Active Joe brand? Why is she this year's "The Active Joe"? "Because she is kind and humble, volunteers and helps her local trail community, and, while she is a fast runner, she recognizes the effort runners of all speeds put in to get to the finish line," says Jones. Jess has participated in 2 past The Active Joe events, the 2015 Big Cedar 100 Miler and the 2016 Rough Creek Trail Run, where she also volunteered to help with course marking before the race and then also served as sweeper at the end of the race!
“I’m happy that we can continue to support this historic ultrarunning event and therefore support the sport as well,” Jones said. “I can't wait to see Jess at the starting line on June 24, 2017 and watch her run her best!”
Info on Past/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
June 2014 event: Jennifer Kimble of Dallas, TX
The Active Joe was founded in 2008 with the mission of providing running outreach to the local community. The organization produces 3 trail events, including North Texas' only 100 mile running event, the Big Cedar Endurance Run 100 Mile, 50 Mile, 50K, and Half Marathon each November. The company also has 4 road events that cater to 7,000 participants annually. All events are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. Owner Libby Jones has been an active member of the leadership of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community for many years and is an avid ultrarunner herself. For more information go to www.TheActiveJoe.com.
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