FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olympian Guor Marial Signs With Elite Runner Management and
Makes Running Plans For 2014
Olympic marathoner Guor Marial, now known as Guor Maker, has signed an
agency contract with Elite Runner Management, the Michigan based sports
agency headed by Christopher Mengel.
"We are tremendously excited to have the opportunity to represent Guor. He
is not only a talented athlete, but he is an exceptional human being. The
obstacles he's had to overcome in his life to be a 'Lost Boy' refugee who
escaped the civil war in Sudan as a child, then to become an Olympian who
ran in London in 2012, and to finally gain his U.S. citizenship earlier
this year is truly inspirational. We are honored to help Guor write the
next chapter in what has already been a remarkable life," Mengel said.
Maker, 29, is a graduate of Iowa State University where he received his
Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 2011. At Iowa State, Maker was
an All-American in Cross Country and was a 3 time All-Midwest Region and 12
time All-Big 12 Conference selection. While attending high school in
Concord, NH, Maker ran a 4:17 mile and was the US National Indoor Champion
in the 2 mile.
Maker burst onto the scene as a professional athlete in 2011when he ran an
Olympic qualifying time of 2:14:32 in his marathon debut at the Twin Cities
Marathon in Minneapolis, MN finishing 5th. In his second marathon at the
San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 2012 just 6 weeks before the Olympic
Games, he achieved a personal best of 2:12:55. As a citizen of the new
nation of South Sudan who did not have an Olympic committee, Maker received
a special invitation to run in London under the Olympic flag. With very
little time to prepare for the race he finished in 47th place in a credible
time of 2:19:32.
"One of my goals is to become among the world's best marathoners," Maker
said. "I felt I needed a knowledgeable agent to achieve that goal. That is
when I came across Christopher Mengel and Elite Runner Management. The
vision of his agency in supporting athletes is exactly what I am looking
for as my running career continues," Maker added. "I sincerely thank Chris
for the opportunity, and I am looking forward to working with him as an
agent-athlete and good partner." When he became an American citizen in
2013, he changed his last name back to his African family name of Maker
(pronounced Ma CARE).
Guor Maker's comments:
On being injured in 2013. "I suffered an injury to the inside of my left
foot which started in early 2013 and was finally diagnosed as a muscle tear
later in the year. However, it's healing up well right now. I will start
training by the first week or second week of January."
On training and being self-coached. "I will be basing my training in Kenya
with Kenyan marathoners for 2014 and maybe beyond. However, if that doesn't
work for some reason then it may not be a bad idea to get a coach."
On becoming an American citizen and having dual citizenship with South
Sudan. "Being a South Sudanese and United States citizen means a lot to
me. It gives me the full rights of a person to speak, to vote, to be free.
My heart breaks when I see the civil strife that is happening in South
Sudan right now. Other than my own running career, it is my hope to help
others by bringing clean drinking water to my people in Ruweng County in
Unity State, South Sudan. As to which country I would compete for if I am
fortunate to be an Olympian again? I believe that I have enough time to
think about it and make my best decision."
On racing goals for 2014. "I set my running goals based on my health
condition. For 2014, I hope to compete in the Boston Marathon in April, and
some half marathons and maybe a marathon in the fall. But I will play that
by ear."
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