The Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project made the front page of the WSJ when it was announced over a decade ago. Adding Dathan Ritzenhein, a classic American distance runner, who we have watched from Foot Locker in high school to NCAA championships in college to 5000m, AR and three Olympic team berths.
Dathan Ritzenhein has a new singlet, photo from Brooks
Dathan Ritzenhein believes he has better marathons to run in his future, and so do Keith and Kevin Hanson. Dathan moved his family back to Michigan a few years ago to be closer to family and to coach.
Ritzenhein had run with the Nike and the Nike Oregon Distance Project for many years, but that came to an end over the last couple of years. His move to Hansons’ Brooks ODP provides him with training partners, coaching and support at his home in Michigan.
Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project Signs Three-Time Olympian and Distance Running Veteran Dathan Ritzenhein
The Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project announces the signing of three-time Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein to the team, welcoming his deep success in the sport and his untapped potential in the marathon distance to the growing roster of long distance professionals that make up the Michigan-based group. Dathan will train and compete with Hansons-Brooks beginning this year as he and his teammates eye 2020, the next Olympic year, approaching on the horizon.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining forces with The Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project!” said Hansons-Brooks Runner Dathan Ritzenhein. “Having known Keith and Kevin for 20 years, there is nobody I trust and respect more to help guide me to new heights in the marathon while I chase my fourth Olympic team. “
Dathan Ritzehnhein, photo by Brooks Running
Joining the team and training under Keith and Kevin Hanson is a homecoming for Dathan, a Michigander who was born in Rockford and lived in Grand Rapids. He joins new Hansons-Brooks athletes including Shadrack Biwott and Caleb Rhynard as well as team veterans like Desiree Linden and Mike Morgan.
“Welcoming Dathan back to Michigan and to our team is an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” said Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project Coach Kevin Hanson. “We feel that he has more to give in the marathon, and we’re ready to get to work and see how far we can go together.”
Brooks sponsors athletes to inspire runners everywhere, and supporting them on and off the run is central to that goal. The Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project, which was founded in 2003 to revive American distance running, is one of the largest developmental running teams in the country with a proven track record of success in long distance running. Their team model for training inspired the creation of several other U.S. running teams, notably the Brooks Beasts Track Club out of Seattle.
