#TheJourneytoCompete: A NIKE cross-country newsletter, Issue #9,
December 5, 2025 SPECIAL EDITION: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ON NXN 2025!
#TheJourneytoCompete is a celebration of all things cross-country and a collaboration between #NIKErunning and #RunBlogRun. We will publish #JourneytoCompete weekly, on Fridays, from October 10, 2025, to January 15, 2026! To subscribe, send an email with your email address to runblogrun@gmail.com. We will sign you up! We will post archived copies of the NIKE Newsletter at runblogrun.com and RunningNetwork.com
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Lily Alder won the NXR Southwest, photo by Brian Eder@CameraAthletica for RunBlogRun
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It’s time to Compete! Here are six tips, four from NIKE Swoosh Athletes and two from the NIKE Elite Coach, on how to finish your cross-country season with success!
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Woody Kincaid takes the win, BU, photo by Kevin Morris
#TheJourneytoCompete, Interview #6: Woody Kincaid, Swoosh Track Club, 5,000 meter-10,000 meter, explains how to be better at cross-country and our sport! Read here:
| Liam Murphy, NXR Southwest, photo by Larry Eder |
#TheJourneytoCompete, Interview #5: Liam Murphy, Swoosh Track Club, from miler to loving cross-country: Liam provides cross-country tips.
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Drew Bosley, NXR Southwest, photo by Larry Eder
#TheJourneytoCompete, Interview #4: Drew Bosley, Swoosh Track Club, explains it all, racing indoors, racing cross-country, Drew Bosley, former NAU star, talks cross-country!
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Moh Ahmed, NIKE Pre 2022, photo by Kevin Morris
#TheJourneytoCompete, Interview #3: Moh Ahmed, Olympic silver medalist, World Champs bronze medalist, Canadian Cross-Country champion, provides tips on how to race cross-country better!
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NIKE Air Structure 26
Do you need a motion control shoe? Then consider the Air Structure 26. The Air Structure 26 is an excellent part of your running shoe arsenal as you build your fitness! Four-time Olympian Galen Rupp loves the Air Structure 26. Galen told #RunBlogRun that he likes to change it up with Air Structure 26 and several other NIKE running models for his daily training!
Learn more about the NIKE Air Structure 26 at www.nikerunning.com
Oh, and the NEW Structure PLUS is almost here!
| NIKE #TheJourneytoCompete NXN! |
The Journey to Compete, Interview #2: The Stars Align for Maggi Congdon!
| Maggi Congdon just graduated from Northern Arizona University, taking two bronze medals in the mile (indoors) and 1,500 meters (outdoors) in NCAA. On July 12, 2025, Maggi broke two minutes for the first time, and in August, made the US team at 800 meters for Tokyo World Champs! Check out Maggi’s story and read her tip for high school cross-country runners! | #NXR South, November 22, 2025, photo by Ross Dettman for NXR South |
Jakob Ingebrigtsen Mania! Read on!
Be Like Jakob, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, that is!
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Be Like Jakob , Jakob Ingebrigtsen, that is!
Jakob Ingebrigtsen will focus on World records in 2026, but before he goes there, he will be racing the 2025 SPAR European Athletics Cross-Country Championships!
Link here:https://www.runblogrun.com/2025/11/be-like-jakob.html?swcfpc=1
Remember, Jakob Ingebrigtsen will represent his country, Norway, on December 14, 2025, at the 2025 SPAR European Athletics Cross-Country Championships in Lagoa, Portugal. You can watch the SPAR European Cross-Country LIVE on December 14 for FREE via streaming at www.european-athletics.com
Here’s a cool story from our friends at European Athletics: Can Anyone challenge Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the 2025 SPAR European Cross-Country?
| Learning from Galen Rupp! How to become a great runner! How to get your best out of yourself! | Galen Rupp, photo by How Lao Photography |
All distance running begins with cross-country! Galen Rupp is a prime example. State of Oregon cross-country champ, NIKE Border Clash champ, and high placer in the FootLocker series!
Galen Rupp ran the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where he finished in a time of 2:09:40, without pain! The four-time Olympian (10,000 meters in Beijing 2008, 10,000 meters in London 2012, where he placed second for the silver medal, Marathon in Rio 2016, where he took the bronze medal, and Marathon in Tokyo 2021, where he took 8th place). This was Galen’s first marathon in 20 months as he had to rehab his hip.
Did you know that Galen Rupp ran for Central Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon, where he excelled at cross-country and track? In high school, Galen won state of Oregon cross-country titles in 2022 and 2003, plus track titles, one at 1,500 meters in 2004 and 3,000 meters title in 2003 and 2004. In his senior year, Galen also won the NIKE Border Clash, a fun NIKE event pitting the best of Oregon and Washington high school cross-country runners. In high school, Galen Rupp also ran a 13:55.32 for the 5,000 meters (then 4th best EVER U.S. high school) and 29:09:56 (also 4th best EVER at the time U.S. high school). Now, at 39, Galen Rupp hopes to make his fifth Olympic team.
This is a remarkable interview with Galen Rupp from the October 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
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Eight photo galleries and all the results from NIKE Regional Qualifiers!
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NXR Southwest, photo by Brian Eder@Camera Athletica for RunBlogRun
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NIKE NXR Regional Qualifying for the 2025 NIKE Cross-Country Nationals! (Results and photo galleries for Events 1-8, November 9-24, 2025. Here’s the link!
| | NIKE presents #TheJourneytoCompete Interviews series: | | #TheJourneytoCompete Interview, Episode 1 | | Juli Benson’s journey from a 400-meter runner to an Olympic 1,500-meter competitor was marked by many challenges, as with most athletes. During much of that time, Juli wanted to be a coach, a vocation which she has pursued with vigor! Listen to her story and learn from her suggestions! | | Cooper Lutkenhaus, Micro Clip 1, Going Pro (from Issue #5) | | Cooper Lutkenhaus, photo by Kevin Morris |
Cooper Lutkenhaus is the Track & Field News Male athlete of the year for 2025. Cooper set the World Under-18 and American Under-20 World records for the Men’s 800 meters, with his fine 1:42.37, taking second in the USATF Outdoor 800 meters.
In this clip, Cooper spoke about going professional during this past summer and foregoing his eligibility as a high school athlete. Cooper is training daily with his high school teammates, who are his friends and classmates.
| | From Issue #4: Cooper Lutkenhaus, the RunBlogRun Interview | |
Cooper Lutkenhaus, photo by Kevin Morris
To listen to the entire interview of Cooper Luktenhaus,
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From Issue #3: Connor Mantz Breaks AR for the Marathon with his 2:04:43, and eyes a bid for the U.S. World Cross-Country team! | |
Connor Mantz, photo by Kevin Morris / Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Connor Mantz was a high school cross-country champion. At BYU, Connor became the first American to win the NCAA Cross-Country Division 1 title, and Connor won twice!
On October 12, 2025, Connor Mantz, who was 8th in the Paris Olympic marathon, finished fourth at the #BankofAmericaChicagomarathon, breaking the 23-year-old American record of Khalid Khannouchi with his 2:04:43! Here’s the story!
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The Secrets of running the mile, from the American record holder, Sinclaire Johnson!
| Sinclaire Johnson, photo by Kevin Morris | This interview was conducted just before the Tokyo World Championships, where Sinclaire competed in the 1,500 meters. A state high school cross-country champion, Sinclaire Johnson, is an excellent example of how cross-country helps build middle-distance runners! Enjoy the interview by Larry Eder. Sinclaire Johnson is sponsored by NIKE. |
Vomero 18, photo by NIKE
The NIKE Vomero 18 is the first of the three shoes in the Vomero channel. Well cushioned, the Vomero 18 gives the runner a cushioned ride while being sturdy enough for the hard miles you put in the fall as you build fitness for cross-country! Learn more about the Vomero 18 at www.nikerunning.com!
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NXR Southwest photo 5, November 22, 2025, photo by Brian Eder@Camera Athletica for RunBlogRun
| Jakob Ingebrigtsen goes for his 8th European Athletics cross-country title! | Jakob Ingebrigtsen, photo by European Athletics |
Jakob Ingebrigtsen has won seven European Athletics Cross-Country titles. When I spoke with him last March, at the European Indoors, Jakob told me that he plans, most years, to end his season with the SPAR cross-country!
This year, it is in Lagoa, Portugal, and should be a wonderful day of cross-country (watch for our update next week so you can watch the races LIVE and for FREE on streaming from European Athletics.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen just announced that he will run the SPAR European Cross Country Champs, hoping for his fifth senior title. You can watch in the US for FREE LIVE, watch for our link coming soon! The race is December 14, 2025!
| Cross-Country History Lesson Number 8: Could Cross-Country return to the Olympics? |
Cross-country is one of the largest sports on the high school calendar, for both boys and girls! Each state has a state meet, and the buildup to the state meet is always exciting.
After the state meets (only NY and CA are not completed early in November), the NXR regional meets give athletes from all over the country the chance to qualify with their teams as well as individually for the NIKE Cross Nationals!
But cross-country is not just a U.S. phenomenon; it is a global phenomenon! European Athletics Champs Cross Country will have over 59 federations competing on December 14. On January 10, 2026, all of the best teams in the world will descend upon Tallahassee, Florida, for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships!
This is the first time, since 1992, that the World Cross Country is being held in the U.S.! The U.S. teams will be decided at the USATF Cross-Country Championships, to be held on December 6, 2025 in Portland, Oregon, in conjunction with the NIKE Cross Nationals!
Up until 1924, Cross-Country was part of the Olympics. There were team races and individual races as well.
Seb Coe, President of World Athletics, is working to get cross-country approved in the 2030 Winter Olympics!
What do you think?
| Cross-Country History Lesson Number 7: “Become One with the Mud!” Lynn Jennings | Nike ad of Pat Porter and Lynn Jennings, from NIKE archives |
“Become One with the Mud, “ Lynn Jennings (History lesson #7)!
Enjoy this story on Lynn Jennings, the only American to win Nine U.S. Cross Country Championships, plus winning three World Athletics Cross Country Champs, two WA Indoor medals at 3,000 meters and one Olympic bronze at 10,000 meters! Enjoy our story!
| Special Cross-Country Bonus: Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan talk to fans, NIKE House of Innovation, November 3, 2025! | Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan, November 5, 2025, photo by NIKE | Interview with Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan, by NIKE’s Coach Bennett, November 5, 2025, NIKE House of Innovation. Read the Story and see the interview. | #NXR Northwest, photo by John Konstantaras for NIKE communications |
From Issue #1: How did Nike Cross Nationals begin? Here’s the story!
How did the NIKE Cross Nationals begin? Here’s a great story on the celebration of high school team cross-country! Read this story on Twenty Years of NIKE Cross, by Deji Ogeyingbo!
For nearly two decades, the Nike Cross Nationals, or NXN, has been the stage where America’s most promising high school cross-country runners measure themselves against the very best. The event has grown into a national institution, drawing athletes from all corners of the United States to Portland, Oregon, where Glendoveer Golf Course becomes the proving ground for speed, strategy, and determination.
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#ForShoeGeeksOnly: Do you need a great cross-country racing shoe? Here you go! Check out the NIKE DragonFly XC 3!
| Artwork for DragonFlyXC interview, artwork by Mike Deering / The Shoe Addicts |
NIKE Running: Have you seen the NIKE Pegasus?
The NIKE Pegasus is one of the best of performance running shoe silos offered by #NIKERunning.
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Nike Pegasus 41
The #NIKEPegasus41 is fast, aggressive, and the perfect entry-level shoe for middle school and high school cross-country. Just enough cushioning, a good heel counter, a cushioned midsole, and a great outsole.
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Pegasus PLUS by NIKE
The #NIKEPegasusPLUS is built for speed. A little more cushioning, with NIKE Zoom Air, a firm heel counter, and a comfortable upper. The outsole is built for handling roads and trails.
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Pegasus Premium by NIKE
The #NIKEPegasusPremium is the top-of-the-line model for the #NIKEPegasus channel. It has visible Zoom Air, a firm heel counter, a great upper, and an outsole that will last for miles and miles
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#ForShoeGeeksOnly: What’s the Matumbo? Read on, curious readers
| The Matumbo story is classic NIKE. Bernard Lagat, 2007 World Champion at both the 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters, told Johnny Truax, a former NIKE shoe geek, this story about the “Matumbo”. NIKE PLM for Track & Field, Patrick Richie, with the encouragment of NIKE PLM for Track & Field and Road Racing, Natalie Kile, told #RunBlogRun this story that should go Viral! | Artwork for DragonFlyXC interview, artwork by Mike Deering / The Shoe Addicts | #ForShoeGeeksOnly, What did the elite wear in Tokyo, and what are the special launches for November and January from NIKE? Check this out! | Jane Hedengren won the 2024 NXN Cross-Country! Here’s what she did in her first year of college cross-country! | Jane Hedengren, photo by BYU |
Jane Hedengren is Three for Three in College Cross-Country!
Jane Hedengren set two course records in her first two races for the College Cross-Country powerhouse, BYU! In race 3, Jane Hedengren won the NCAA Mountain Regional!
In her second college cross-country race, Jane Hedengren won the Big Twelve Cross-Country Championships, setting a course record of 18:29.6 and leading the Brigham Young women to their third consecutive cross-country team title. Jane’s 18:29.6 is her 6-kilometer cross-country PB!
In her third college cross-country race, Jane Hedengren won the NCAA Mountain Regional in 19:06.6, winning by 42 seconds. Jane led her BYU team to an impressive performance, putting six runners in the top 20!
Of Jane Hedengren, Diljeet Taylor, BYU Women’s Cross-Country Head coach, told the #DeseretNews:
“She is one of one. I talk about her being, instead of a generational talent, a Jane-rational talent, and that’s true. She’s proving that week in, week out,” Taylor said.
In her fourth cross-country race, Jane Hedengren stayed with the defending champion, Doris Lemngole. Doris took off with a kilometer to go on the six-kilometer course in 18:25.4. Jane Hedengren ran 18:38.9 on the swift course!
Jane Hedengren had a Most Excellent cross-country season with Brigham Young University (BYU took second in Women’s NCAA cross country)
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From the RunBlogRun ARCHIVES:
The Finest of Cross Country Stories, From the Archives, The Story of Janet Bristol, The Roads Not Taken: The Untold Story of Janet Bristol, one of America’s most promising distance runners, a story by Rich Englehart with photos by Jeff Johnson.
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Janet Bristol, 1970 New England AAU Cross Country,
photo by Jeff Johnson, used with permission
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Faith Kipegon, photo by NIKE Communications
Faith Kipyegon just loves the NIKE Vomero Premium! Have you taken a run in the most cushioned shoe from NIKE?
Faith Kipyegon loves it. Connor Mantz loves it, what are you waiting for? Learn more at www.nikerunning.com
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A Quote from Steve Prefontaine, Week #9:
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Steve Prefontaine, photo by Nike Communications
Steve Prefontaine was an early employee for NIKE, working with the late Geoff Hollister, who helped being the NIKE sports marketing team.
Steve Prefontaine led the Oregon Ducks to the NCAA Cross-Country Championships in 1973 and, before his death, owned the American records for the 2000-meters, 10,000- meters, and the 2 miles.
Did you know that Pre threatened the Oregon sports Department that he would not go to the NCAA in 1973? Originally, the Department refused to pay for the Oregon men’s team to go to the NCAAs. Oregon sent the team, Pre won his third title, and Oregon won the men’s team title!
In 1973, Steve Prefontaine won his final cross-country title at the NCAA. He came from way back to defeat Nick Rose, who had built up a huge lead. After the race, Steve Prefontaine told reporters that it was his most satisfying cross-country win.
“Pre,” as his fans called him, had an unquenchable desire to challenge himself. Here is our quote for Week 9:
"You said I was weak. You said I couldn't do it. Thank you. You gave me everything I needed to prove you wrong." ~ Steve Prefontaine
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The NIKE Cross Nationals 2025-the Qualifying is OVER, the races are December 6, 2025!
The NIKE Cross Nationals are the ultimate cross-country event, celebrating the team spirit and great tradition of the sport. For more information, please go to: www.NIKECrossNationals.com
Here is how to see everything, including USATF XC on December 6, LIVE and for FREE! https://www.runblogrun.com/2025/11/105547.html?swcfpc=1
| The NIKE Cross Nationals 2025 |
NXR Southwest photo #6, photo by Brian Eder@Camera Athletica for RunBlogRun
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Nike Cross Nationals Information
You will be able to watch the NIKE Cross Nationals FREE and LIVE on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Check it out here: NIKECrossNationals.com
December 6, 2025
Nike Cross Nationals - Glendoveer Golf Course, Portland, Oregon.
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Vomero 18, photo by NIKE
The perfect training shoe duo for high school runners! The NIKE Pegasus PLUS and the NIKE Vomero 18!
#ForShoeGeeksOnly: The perfect duo: NIKE Pegasus PLUS (for hard days) and NIKE Vomero 18 (for long runs, easy days). I recommend two pairs of training shoes for the fall: a NIKE Pegasus PLUS and a NIKE Vomero 18 (shown below) for easy days and long days. The Pegasus PLUS is well-constructed, can handle dirt and mud, and delivers a stable, comfortable ride without overdoing the cushioning. As always, we do not recommend buying your running performance shoes remotely; please go to a real, live running store.
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Pegasus PLUS, photo by NIKE
The NIKE Pegasus PLUS may be the perfect NIKE running shoe for summer and fall high school running. It is light, sturdy, and built for miles! I would recommend it for speed days, fartlek days, hill days, and if you have just one shoe, a good trainer/racer. Nike is back on track with this shoe, part of the NIKE Pegasus 41 evolution. If you need a little more cushioning, try the Vomero 18. The Vomero 18 has more cushioning than the Pegasus PLUS. If you like NIKE, I would suggest high schoolers use the NIKE Pegasus PLUS for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I would suggest the Vomero 18 for Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I always suggest two pairs of training shoes.
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Learn more on www.nikerunning.com. #NIKErunning, #PegasusPLUS, #Vomero18, #Trainingwithtwoshoes,
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Cldye Hart, photos by Baylor University/Clyde Hart
BONUS for NIKE XC Newsletter: 400-meter runners should run cross-country!
More and more 400-meter runners are training for and racing cross-country! Why? It keeps them fit in the fall so that winter training is not so bad!
Here is the complete 400-meter training program from the coach of World record holder Michael Johnson and American record holder Sanya Richards-Ross. Clyde Hart, their coach, just passed away at the age of 91. His training program, given to me three decades ago, helps you and your coach understand the 400-meters! Read more
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The NIKE XC newsletter: Back issues. Please share with your teams and friends!
Issue 8, November 28, 2025, NIKE XC Presents, #TheJourneytoCompete, A NIKE cross-country newsletter: Moh Ahmed and Maggi Congdon provide XC Tips! https://www.runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/450-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-8
Issue 7, November 21, 2025, NIKE XC Presents, #TheJourneytoCompete, A cross-country newsletter, The Stars Align for Maggi Congdon, Tips from Moh Ahmed, Cross-Country History,
https://www.runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/448-nike-xc-newsletter-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-7-november-22-2025
Issues 6, November 14, 2025, NIKE XC Presents, #TheJourneytoCompete, A cross-country Newsletter, Be like Jakob! Lynn Jennings, “Become One with the Mud!”,
https://www.runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/449-nike-xc-newsletter-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-6
Issue 5, November 7, 2025 NIKE XC Presents, #TheJourneytoCompete, Cooper Lutkenhaus clip, Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan at NIKE House of Innovation, link
https://runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/447-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-5
Issue 4, October 31, 2025, NIKE XC Presents,
#TheJourneytoCompete, A cross-country newsletter, Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan, beginnings in cross-country, Cooper Lutkenhaus Interview, Eliud and Sifan Interview,
https://runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/446-thejoussue4
Issue 3, October 24, 2025, NIKE XC presents, #TheJourneytoCompete, A cross-country newsletter, Conner Mantz Interview,
https://runningnetwork.com/index.php/features/444-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-3-october-24-2025
Issue 2, October 17, 2025, The NIKE XC Newsletter, #TheJourneytoCompete, Sinclaire Johnson Interview, AR holder Women’s Mile, http://www.runningnetwork.com/index.php/features/443-thejourneytocompete-a-cross-country-newsletter-issue-2-october-17-2025
Issue 1, October 10, 2025, The NIKE XC Newsletter, #TheJourneytoCompete, 20 Years of High School Cross-Country Excellence, the story of the NIKE Cross Nationals, http://www.runningnetwork.com/index.php/news/440-nike-xc-newsletter-journey-to-compete-issue-1-october-10-2025
The #JourneytoCompete is a newsletter celebrating cross-country for high school athletes and providing weekly updates on the NIKE Cross Nationals and NIKE running shoes.
You have just read the NIKE XC newsletter, issue 9, #TheJourneytoCompete, a newsletter celebrating all things cross-country! Have suggestions on what to cover? Please email us at fortiusmedia@gmail.com with the subject NIKE XC!
For more information, please go to www.nikerunning.com
#TheJourneytoCompete Staff:
Newsletter Production: Chuck Bartlett
Copy Editor: Kathleen Camara
Writers: Deji Ogeyingbo, Stuart Weir
Editor: Larry Eder
Photo Credits:
NIKE Communications
Kevin Morris
Brian Eder
Jeff Johnson
How Lao Photography
Kenneth Weber
Michael G. Brown
John Konstantaras
The #JourneytoCompete is a collaboration between #NIKErunning and #RunBlogRun.
To learn more about RunBlogRun, please go to www.runblogrun.com.
Copyright 2025 by Fortius Media Group, LLC
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