Get on the team

• Posted on December 19, 2008 at 7:07 PM
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I've always wanted to be a pro-athlete. When I was a kid I bet my sister I would compete in the Olympics before I turned 35. I'm not sure why we decided to add an age limit - like I was suddenly going to qualify at 55 and then she'd have to cough up the $50. Well I'm four years shy and it doesn't look like it's going to happen and I'm okay with that. I haven't paid yet, of course, because you just never know – three words for you, Lori-Anne Muenzer.

Any way, if you hold similar dreams of competing as a sponsored athlete, here's your chance. You don't even have to be world class. Nathan, a hydration product company, is teaming up with a few other sponsors to offer Joe and Jane Athletes (no plumbers need apply) a spot on a pro team. Read on if you're interested.

NATHAN, distributed in Canada by In-Sport Fashions Inc., is proud to announce the launch of its second annual amateur athlete recruitment campaign, in partnership with SUGOI, END, GU SPORTS, CANADIAN RUNNING MAGAZINE and TRIATHLON MAGAZINE CANADA, and invites Canadians to send their application. NATHAN hydration, reflective products and accessories are designed by and for elite athletes, and for athletes of all levels. NATHAN is committed to supporting people who have goals and the will to achieve them, no matter how impossible they may seem, and to helping them in redefining their own notion of “humanly possible”. From January 1st to March 31st 2009, NATHAN will look for 10 Canadian individual amateur athletes across Canada, men and women, in sports such as road running, trail running, duathlon or triathlon to join the 2009 NATHAN CANADA TEAM. People who have a personal goal (it can be running a first 10K, beating a half-marathon PB, running a marathon under 4 hours or qualifying for Boston, moving from road to trail running, trying a tri, completing an Olympic distance duathlon or doing an Ironman…), a character, a dedication, a conviction, a story, a message to share and a unique approach to the sport or to the objective they want to reach; inspired people who can inspire others are invited to apply. Even if having won a race or having personal records are great accomplishments it won’t be of first importance in the selection process.

As an example, in 2008, NATHAN and its partners helped the following athletes:

Jim Eso (48, Surrey, BC) – “Being selected to the Nathan Canada team has been a great experience for me. In having access to great products and advice, being part of a recognized team of competitors was a huge motivator for me to persevere to meet my targets. I have successfully set new personal best times in the 10K, the half marathon and the full marathon in the last 4 months and am well on my way to meeting my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I especially like the fact that this team is based on finding athletes who set personal goals and who compete regularly in a variety of races across Canada. We may not be the age group winners in every event, but we represent the vast majority of runners and triathletes who are out competing week after week for enjoyment, health, a sense of community and a desire to test the limits of our own ability. Thanks to everyone for letting me be a part of the team.”

Lisa Leskien (27, Cambridge, ON) – “The Nathan Canada Team sponsorship has been a very positive experience for me. In February, thought I would apply and see what happened. I used the application for the Nathan Canada Team to write my goal of trying a 50 mile ultra. I had kept that goal inside, because I was afraid to try something so long. I really wasn't sure if I could do it, but I was willing to try. I raced in my first 50 mile ultra wearing the Team Nathan Canada uniform. The race was difficult, but I did really well. I surprised myself. I realized that I could run that long. It was an even better feeling sharing that feeling with the people at Nathan and the other Nathan Canada Team members. Since that 50 mile race, I ran a 12 hour ultra where I almost won the overall title (1 minute behind the overall men's winner). It was the National 12 hour championships, so I won the woman's title. It was amazing. I really felt like an ultra runner. Now my goals have changed from finishing the 50 mile race to running for Canada in the 50 mile. I hope that in the near future I can wear a Team Canada Uniform in a world cup 50 mile trail race. It all started with the Nathan Canada Team and the courage to try something new.”

In 2009, candidates selected as members of the NATHAN CANADA TEAM will: - get free NATHAN products and accessories - get a free SUGOI running or triathlon technical outfit - get a free pair of END road or trail running shoes and sandals - get free GU energy gels and sport drinks - get a free one year subscription to Canadian Running and/or Triathlon Magazine Canada - have up to $250 of training clinics costs and sporting events registration fees paid - have the chance to be part of a great team with local and national recognition - feel the satisfaction of challenging themselves during the season and hopefully achieve their goal

Candidates can find detailed information on the NATHAN CANADA TEAM recruitment campaign on www.NathanSports.ca/Team and can send their application (letter, bio, pictures, etc.) to marketing@insport.ca before March 31st 2009.