FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Elite Runner Molly Bookmyer signs agency contract
with Elite Runner Management
McKirdy Trained athlete is a 2X Olympic Trials qualifier
GROSSE POINTE (MI) - Molly Bookmyer, an Ohio State graduate and two-time
Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon, has signed an agency contract
with Elite Runner Management, the Michigan based sports agency headed by
Chris Mengel.
"It will be an honor to work with Molly and to assist her in growing out
her professional career," Mengel said. "Molly has shown the grit,
determination, and talent that my agency covets in an athlete."
When asked about her new partnership with Elite Runner Management, Bookmyer
said that "to be successful in any career, you need to be surrounded by
people who believe in you and are experts at what they do. I have a lot of
goals that I want to accomplish with running and believe that Chris can
help me achieve them."
In her brief professional running career, Bookmyer has progressed quickly.
Under the tutelage of her coach for the last two years, James McKirdy of
McKirdy Trained, she has garnered impressive results at multiple distances.
This year alone she has posted top ten finishes in the Chevron Houston
Marathon (9th), CU Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in Washington, DC (6th), the
USATF 25K Championships in Grand Rapids, MI (6th), and Grandma's Marathon
in Duluth, MN, where she placed 7th in a marathon personal best of 2:32:53.
In addition to her running accomplishments, Bookmyer has achieved success
off the course as well. Recently, she was named the winner of the 2022
Lashutka Spirit Award by the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus
Marathon. The award, named after the former mayor of Columbus, Ohio,
Bookmyer's hometown, honors persons who by their spirit and strength
inspire others to overcome obstacles and challenges in life. Bookmyer, the
champion of last year's Columbus Half Marathon in a time of 1:12:28, will
defend her title in October. "As a survivor of two brain surgeries, Molly
has overcome the greatest of obstacles to compete successfully at the
highest level. We look forward to collaborating with Molly and her team to
assist in her development both as an athlete and as a person," Mengel
said.
In addition to the Columbus Half, Bookmyer plans to take advantage of the
best U.S. races for the remainder of 2022 leading into 2023 with the
eventual target of hitting the world standards in the 10,000m (31:25) and
marathon (2:29:30). "The goal is to gain more racing experience, compete
for top places, and work towards making a World Team. My Fall season will
kick off at the Falmouth Road Race on August 21 and end at the California
International Marathon in Sacramento in December," said Bookmyer.
In addition to working on her nutrition, strength training, and hitting
workouts, "Molly is doing everything she can to compete at a world class
level" said McKirdy. "Her vision of success transcends what she has
previously accomplished. Although she doesn't have a lifetime of
competitive experience like some other athletes in this sport, when the gun
goes off Molly doesn't care who you are, she will give her best and not be
intimidated. The ability to have that confidence is remarkable and bodes
well for her future success."
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