The Sponsored Athlete Program provides support for GBTC’s most competitive athletes; it allows those athletes to compete for, and promote GBTC, at competitions. Sponsorship is available to any of our members who are able to reach the required standards.

This is in addition to the support we give many club members to attend events such as national track & field events, national cross country events, and marquee road races. It is also in addition to the Margaret Bradley Award awarded annually.

Name: Alex Brovender

Age: 25

City: Boston, MA

Member since: 2024

Sponsored mark event and performance: DC Half Marathon - 71:44

Other notable performances: Cambridge Half Marathon - 70:12

Dunkin order: I gotta go with a glazed donut. Basic, but it's classic for a reason. 

Name: Jon Chesto

Age 53

City: Auburndale, MA

Member since: 2001

Sponsored mark event and performance: Marathon 2:54 (81% age grade)

Other notable performances: I have three marathon wins, two of them as a master's runner. Cape Cod (2015), Rehoboth Beach (2017), North Central Rail Trail (2009). My marathon PR of 2:36 was set at the Mohawk-Hudson marathon (2012). 

I also ran a 2:37 at Bay State in 2018, finishing in the top 10 overall for a USATF NE championship race. Last time I broke 2:40 (insert frowny face here) was 2019, at Philadelphia (before they changed the course and made it tougher).

Dunkin order: Turkey sausage/egg sandwich on English muffin, Boston creme doughnut.

Name: Mike Creedon

Age: 32

City: Watertown, MA 

Member since: 2015

Sponsored mark event and performance: 2:29:51 Marathon

Other notable performances: 14:46 5K, 1:09:15 Half Marathon

Dunkin order: Maple Frosted Donut :-) 

Name: Kojiro Hirokane

Age: 29

City: Cambridge, MA 

Member since: 2023

Sponsored mark event and performance: 200m 22.48, 400m 50.48

Other notable performances: 400mH 51.44

Dunkin order: Mochi Donuts 

Name: Jeffrey Noyes

Age 30

City: Brighton, MA

Member since: 2017

Sponsored mark event and performance: 15:22 in the 5km

Other notable performances: Half Marathon: 71:19 and Marathon: 2:33:03 

Dunkin order: Not a coffee drinker! I get my caffeine purely through gu or in pill form. 

Name: Sam Schrage

Age 23

City: Arlington, MA

Member since: 2023

Sponsored mark event and performance: 2:29:50 at the 2024 Hartford Marathon

Other notable performances: 72:23 at the 2024 DC Half, 15:52 5k in a time trial (timed by Rod so its official) where I finally broke 16 after over 3 years of trying

Dunkin order: Corn Muffin and Chocolate Milk

I have never been part of a program that had more team camaraderie than GBTC. Training is a lot easier and a lot more fun when working out with the guys! I started running my freshman year of high school to get into shape and as a way to get more steps on my fitbit. After a few weeks I was hooked and had so much fun training and competing.

Name: Wayne Tavares

Age 77

City: Plymouth, MA

Member since: 2016

Sponsored mark event and performance: 60m Hurdles - 11.25

Other notable performances: High Jump 1.40m in 2020. 2nd (tied) in World Age Bracket

Dunkin order: Iced coffee

Wayne enjoys the camaraderie of GBTC at meets and online. He first started athletics at High School and College as a Hurdler, then returned in 2016 age 69. 

To be eligible for Sponsored Athlete status, an athelete must:

• Be a member of GBTC and USA Track & Field (USATF), including paying their initial and ongoing membership dues to each organization.
• Have achieved a sponsorship mark within the past 12 months. Qualifying marks made as a collegian may be considered.

The Board of Directors, with consultation from the coaches, will ultimately determine which GBTC members are and continue to be Sponsored Athletes based on:

• Frequency of competition for GBTC
• Attendance at GBTC practice
• Level of performance
• Club tenure

The list of Sponsored Athletes will be reviewed on an on-going basis, and GBTC reserves to the right to revoke Sponsored Athlete status at any time.

Sponsored Athlete Benefits and Requirements

Duration: A GBTC athlete will maintain sponsored status for a period of one year following a qualifying mark.

Gear: Sponsored Athletes will receive team gear including singlet and warm-up jacket. Sponsored Athletes will also receive a generous gear and shoe allowance to use while they are sponsored.

Competition Reimbursement: Sponsored Athletes will be provided either free entry into all USATF New England Grand Prix road races OR $150 that can be used towards indoor and outdoor track meet entries.

Master's Athletes: A master's athlete is eligible by achieving an age-graded performance of 80% of the open qualifying standards below.