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: Mike Creedon

Age: 33

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: Sam Schrage

Age 24

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.

Sponsored athletes receive:

• A GBTC singlet and warm-up jacket.
• A gear allowance to spend on GBTC gear and merchandise.
• A shoe allowance for training and competition footware.
• Race entry support: reimbursement for USATF-NE Grand Prix road and XC races or payment toward approved competitions.

To be eligible for GBTC sponsorship, an athlete must meet both of the following:

1. Administrative Requirements 
   • Current GBTC membership
   • Current USATF membership with GBTC listed as affiliated club
2. Performance Qualification (one of the following):
   • Standard Performance (see below). Newly sponsored athletes must have acheived the standard within 6 months, sponsorship renewals must have acheived the standard within 12 months.
   • Master's Standard Performance. For athletes age 30+ (track/field) or 40+ (roads/XC), the standards listed below will be age-graded according to World Masters Athletics age-grading tables.
   • USATF-NE Grand Prix Ranking. The top ranked GTBC member in the Open Men's or Women's division of the USATF-NE Road or Cross Country Grand Prix series will be eligible for sponsorship.

This is a summary only. Please contact the GTBC Board of Directors for the full policy or to answer any questions.