California has the Nike Farm Team and
Indiana has the Indiana Invaders, where some of the nation's
top young runners have an opportunity to continue training
in a team environment after college. Now, Nashville has
R.A.C.E. Nashville, a small team of some of the
best runners in Nashville - most of whom have recently
graduated from college. They will continue to train under
the watchful eye of Jeff Langdon, Belmont University's
Cross-Country and Track Coach for the past 16 years. Coach
Langdon will serve as a team advisor, writing out weekly
workout schedules, monitoring each individual's progress,
and serving as a consultant on an as-needed basis.
One of the biggest adjustments for
post-collegiate runners is that upon graduation, they find
themselves without a coach, and therefore they have no
direction in their training or racing schedules. The goal of
R.A.C.E. Nashville's Post-Collegiate Team is to give advice,
direction, and financial support to a group of talented
young runners who aspire to reach the next level. Here is a
look at those athletes:
Ryan
Snellen
Matena (Adelaide, Australia) is the Assistant Coach of
Belmont's cross country and track teams. Also a former
student athlete and graduate of Belmont University with
a Masters of Sport Administration, Matena brings to the
team experience, an 'Aussie attitude' and consistent
effort on the racing track. Recently returning from
Australia to help coach the Bruins, Daniel has
been competing in many road races, with a recent victory
in the Chick-fil-A 5k hosted by the R.A.C.E Nashville
organization. With ambitions to run 14:30 for 5000m and
sub 31 minutes for the 10,000m, he will definitely help
the post graduate team up the front!
Brad Polley (Brentwood, TN), also a graduate from
Belmont University and former Belmont runner, brings to
the team a wealth of knowledge and experience from his
successful career as a track/cross country athlete. A
former Atlantic Sun Conference Cross Country Champion,
Polley is aiming to bring his 5000m PR down to sub
14:30. As he aims to balance his work and running
schedule, Brad will definitely be one to watch. His
sheer guts and determination that helped him throughout
college, and his ability to rise to the occasion when it
counts is his forte when it comes to race day. Polley
currently works for The Ingram Group in Nashville.
Recently graduated from Belmont University with a
Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship, Snellen
(Elizabethtown, KY) brings to the table a long list of
outstanding performances and PR's as a Bruin. Ryan has a
personal best of 14:03 for the 5000m and 3:51 for the
1500m. He is a well rounded athlete, proving his worth
when he qualified for the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country
National Championships in 2004. Snellen currently works
as a footwear specialist at the running specific store,
Fleet Feet Sports in Brentwood. With a desire to run
break 14 minutes for the 5000m, Snellen is going to be
an excellent addition to the R.A.C.E. Nashville Team!
Daniel
Matena
Garvin (Maineville, OH) graduated
in May 07 from the University of Cincinnati, where he
ran on the Bearcats team. Recently moving to Nashville,
Garvin hopes to show the the state of Tennessee how to
get it done. A former steeplechaser at UC with a PR of
9:07 for the steeplechase and 14:45 for the 5000m,
Garvin will bring both strength and perseverance, a
common trait amongst the few who dare take on the
steeplechase. Working at one of the top restaurants in
Nashville, Taylor will balance both his work and running
schedule, where he plans to tear up the track this
spring!
Brad
Polley
Taylor Garvin
Sponsorship Opportunities
One of the goals for the R.A.C.E.
Nashville Post-Collegiate Team is to provide financial
support for their training and racing expenses. An average
expenditure for a competitive athlete at this level would be
as follows:
|
Five local races per year
with an entry fee of $20.00 |
$100.00 |
|
One major out-of-town race
per year (entry fee, gas, lodging) |
$120.00 |
|
Six pairs of training
shoes per year @ $80.00 |
$480.00 |
|
Miscellaneous gear -
socks, shorts, winterwear |
$200.00 |
|
Total yearly expenses per
athlete |
$900.00 |
Requirements/Benefits for
Team Members
-
Work two RACE Nashville events
-
Entry fee paid for up to 5 local
races per year
-
Receive Asics training shoes at
cost price - up to six per year (Orders will be taken in
August and January only)
-
RACE Nashville will supply racing
jersey, racing shorts, and warm-up top
-
Team members must communicate with
Coach Langdon on a regular basis
-
Coach Langdon will be available as
a coach/mentor/sounding board for training (if desired)
If
you would like to be a sponsor of R.A.C.E. Nashville's
post-collegiate team and help support their training and
racing expenses, please contact:
Jeff Langdon at
langdonje@mail.belmont.edu.
R.A.C.E Nashville is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation and
all donations are tax-deductable.
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