RRCA Announces Special Grant Funds for Athletes that Have Qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials – Marathon

July 31, 2019

$42,000 guaranteed funding for Tokyo hopefuls plus bonus money

ARLINGTON, VA – The Board of Directors of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is pleased to announce that funds have been allocated to provide for a special round of grants designed to financially support U.S. runners that have qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, Georgia on February 29, 2020.

Separate from the annual Roads Scholar program, which supports emerging athletes that are recent college graduates, this grant is open to any U.S. athlete that meets the funding criteria. Grants in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded to 6-8 men and women, 16 athletes total.

Any qualifying Roads Scholar grantee from the 2018-19 class or earlier selected to receive a grant from this special round of funding will receive an additional $500 from the RRCA for a total of $3,000. To round out the financial support for the project, the RRCA will award a bonus of $1,000 to a male and female grantee that earns a spot on Team USA to run in the Olympic Marathon.

“Following the news that the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon hosted by the Atlanta Track Club has earned the IAAF Gold Label Status, the RRCA is proud to continue its nearly 60-year tradition by providing this additional financial support for those seeking a spot to represent Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics,” explained Jean Knaack, RRCA executive director. “At the 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon, the RRCA provided financial support to 21 athletes in the field of runners.  We hope to have a similarly strong showing of RRCA supported athlete’s for 2020 through this grant effort coupled with our Roads Scholar grant program.”

View the criteria or to apply for a grant. The submission deadline is August 31.

About the RRCA: The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is the oldest and largest national association of running organizations and runners dedicated to growing the sport since 1958. The RRCA champions the development of community-based running clubs and events that serve runners of all ages and abilities in pursuit of health and competition. The RRCA’s vision is to see an organized running club established in every community in the U.S. To learn more, visit: www.RRCA.org