R.A.C.E. Nashville

California has the Nike Farm Team and Indiana has the Indiana Invaders, where some of the nation's top young runners have an opportunity to continue training in a team environment after college. Now, Nashville has R.A.C.E. Nashville, a small team of some of the best runners in Nashville - most of whom have recently graduated from college. They will continue to train under the watchful eye of Jeff Langdon, Belmont University's Cross-Country and Track Coach for the past 16 years. Coach Langdon will serve as a team advisor, writing out weekly workout schedules, monitoring each individual's progress, and serving as a consultant on an as-needed basis.

One of the biggest adjustments for post-collegiate runners is that upon graduation, they find themselves without a coach, and therefore they have no direction in their training or racing schedules. The goal of R.A.C.E. Nashville's Post-Collegiate Team is to give advice, direction, and financial support to a group of talented young runners who aspire to reach the next level. Here is a look at those athletes:

Matena (Adelaide, Australia) is the Assistant Coach of Belmont's cross country and track teams. Also a former student athlete and graduate of Belmont University with a Masters of Sport Administration, Matena brings to the team experience, an 'Aussie attitude' and consistent effort on the racing track. Recently returning from Australia to help coach the Bruins, Daniel has been competing in many road races, with a recent victory in the Chick-fil-A 5k hosted by the R.A.C.E Nashville organization. With ambitions to run 14:30 for 5000m and sub 31 minutes for the 10,000m, he will definitely help the post graduate team up the front!

Brad Polley (Brentwood, TN), also a graduate from Belmont University and former Belmont runner, brings to the team a wealth of knowledge and experience from his successful career as a track/cross country athlete. A former Atlantic Sun Conference Cross Country Champion, Polley is aiming to bring his 5000m PR down to sub 14:30. As he aims to balance his work and running schedule, Brad will definitely be one to watch. His sheer guts and determination that helped him throughout college, and his ability to rise to the occasion when it counts is his forte when it comes to race day. Polley currently works for The Ingram Group in Nashville.

Recently graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship, Snellen (Elizabethtown, KY) brings to the table a long list of outstanding performances and PR's as a Bruin. Ryan has a personal best of 14:03 for the 5000m and 3:51 for the 1500m. He is a well rounded athlete, proving his worth when he qualified for the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country National Championships in 2004. Snellen currently works as a footwear specialist at the running specific store, Fleet Feet Sports in Brentwood. With a desire to run break 14 minutes for the 5000m, Snellen is going to be an excellent addition to the R.A.C.E. Nashville Team!

Garvin (Maineville, OH) graduated in May 07 from the University of Cincinnati, where he ran on the Bearcats team. Recently moving to Nashville, Garvin hopes to show the the state of Tennessee how to get it done. A former steeplechaser at UC with a PR of 9:07 for the steeplechase and 14:45 for the 5000m, Garvin will bring both strength and perseverance, a common trait amongst the few who dare take on the steeplechase. Working at one of the top restaurants in Nashville, Taylor will balance both his work and running schedule, where he plans to tear up the track this spring!

One of the goals for the R.A.C.E. Nashville Post-Collegiate Team is to provide financial support for their training and racing expenses. An average expenditure for a competitive athlete at this level would be as follows:

If you would like to be a sponsor of R.A.C.E. Nashville's post-collegiate team and help support their training and racing expenses, please contact:

R.A.C.E Nashville is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation and all donations are tax-deductable.