Issue 79 · July 30, 2025
All issuesI hope this B-Mail finds you absolutely posted up in front of USATF.TV with an unbranded foam finger cheering for 50+ unsponsored athletes chasing their dreams at the USA Outdoor Champs.
The Unsponsored Project is the crown jewel, the crème de la crème, the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Mid-Sized Sedan—of what internally we call our "Good for the Sport" initiatives. The focus of said initiatives is right in-line with our mission to Evolve Running. Dedicated time, shmoney, and energy to progress the sport forward, solve challenges, bridge gaps, and inspire more passion. Quite frankly, it's our favorite work to do and we appreciate y'all for getting behind it. Keep your sweet runner eyes peeled on the 'gram these next few days as we go live with athlete updates.
"Here's what's happening in your neck of the woods." -Al Roker the goat. It's BKLYN Mile weekend, baby. The Battle Down Kent Ave is back and the streets are gonna be cooking like Francis Mallmann on a random plot of land. Halfway bonus in the Bandit Women's & Men's Open looking real nice this time of year. After the race, we're taking our talents to BK Backyard for some good clean community fun. DJ, drinks, food, games, livestreaming USA's. Come on out, bring the family dog, everyone's a winner!
B-Mail: Dialed x 2, Unsponsored Explainer, 2-piece capsule, the BKLYN Mile.
01
Ajee's USATF profile has more hardware in it than the trophy case at the Armory. The NJ legend (shoutout the 732) has gone from high school phenom to World U20 champ, 12x National champion, World Indoor champion, Olympian, current Indoor 800M American record holder... to unsponsored. Dive into Ajee's story and come out the other end inspired like never before. Run time: 6:48.
AJEE'S DIALED
02
Helen Schlachtenhaufen (Shlosh-En-Hoff-En) is standing on business like Biebs after a longggg day at the beach. Despite coming off a break-through sub-4 minute 1500M PR at last year's Olympic Trials, Helen found herself unsponsored and with a decision to make: hang up the spikes or place a massive bet on herself. She packed up her bags, booked a one-way to Flagstaff, and said hold my Maurten.
HELEN'S DIALED
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Lemme get the two-piece capsule with the taped over logo? The product squad whipped up a couple pieces of merch for the real ones getting behind the mission. 100% of all sales go towards supporting more athletes in the Unsponsored Project. You're gonna like the way you support, we guarantee it.
SHOP HERE
04
Bandit's Chief Good for the Sport Officer, Himothy Rossi breaks down why The Unsponsored Project exists, how it functions to put athletes right smack dab in the center, and what's different in this third lap around the track. As Mr. Bassitt said , we're building on it— only just getting started. Run time: 3:02.
WHY UNSPONSORED?
05
*Bruce Buffer Voice* IIIIIIT'S TIIIIIME. The Battle Down Kent Ave is going down this Sunday. $500 smackers to the first runner who crosses the halfway point in the Bandit Women's and Men's Opens. Look for the $$$ spray-chalked across the street. Post-race we'll be taking our talents down to BK Backyard for drinks, food, games, tunes, and of course—streaming the USA Outdoor Finals.
RSVP HEREThe full USA's schedule. Quality pod listen: 30 marathons, 20 lessons learned. 70 endurance experts share their top tips for improving physical and mental resilience. Video: Nick Thompson talks life, legacy and the sport of running. The top 10 fittest cities in the United States. ICYMI: The video recap of the Bandit Grand Prix. Ten trail running retreats around the world. Why women's sports bars are springing uparound the U.S. Study of marathon runners reveals a 'hard limit' on human endurance.
Download our 100% free half & full marathon training iOS app, The Program.