Running Insight

invited pilot participants. "I want to be involved with the sport and definitely have ideas floating around, but I honestly don't have a specific plan of attack," he says. "I've just always told myself to do the right thing, surround myself with good people and God will take care of the rest." Continuing partnerships Between deep friendships, rich life experiences and financial stability, Meb says the sport has given him so much that he has no interest in exiting the running com- munity completely. "I love the sport and love to sweat, so I'm not going away," he confirms. That includes deepening relationships with his industry partners, a list that includes names such as Skechers Performance, CEP, Epson and ElliptiGO. Few athletes in any sport are as genuinely engaged with their sponsors as Meb, who routinely appears at events on his sponsors' behalf, seamlessly highlights product on his social media feeds and spotlights his use of the goods in everyday life. "I've always tried to be as authentic as I can in everything I do," Meb says, "though, internally, I've always wished I could give them even more." Compression brand CEP began its relationship with Meb six years ago and general manager Luke Rowe calls Meb a "quality, genuine man" who has been "nothing but a wonderful asset for us" by using the CEP compression products extensively – with no contractual obligation to do so, Rowe adds – and regularly underscoring the benefits of CEP product in public forums. "Meb's number one value to us is that he believes in our product and uses it cor- rectly," Rowe says, adding that CEP recently renewed its contract with Meb for another three years. "We have no doubts Meb will continue to be a great ambassador for us and that's why we extended our partnership with him." Ditto for KT Tape, where Meb will remain an integral part of the brand's efforts in the running market, according to CEO Greg Venner. "Meb has been a tremendous part of the KT Tape athlete family. He is an icon and an inspiration and he will continue to be as he transitions to a career away from competitive marathons," Venner says. Last February, meanwhile, Skechers announced its own contract extension with Meb, who will continue to grace marketing campaigns and col- laborate with the California-based brand on footwear introductions through (at least) 2023. "That we've shared in Meb's journey has been an incredible honor for the Skechers Performance brand," company president Michael Greenberg says. "More than an amazing athlete on the course, Meb is truly an inspirational role model to all … [and we] look forward to him continuing as part of the Skechers Performance family as he enters this next phase of his career." So as Meb catches his breath and exits the run- ning stage, know you haven't seen the last of him. "I'm leaving competition, but I'm not leaving the sport," he assures. "I'm going to the next level of fatherhood and life, but time will tell for the rest of it." n 82 runninginsight.com © 2017 Formula4media LLC. Meb 2.0 (continued) "I've just always told myself to do the right thing, surround myself with good people and God will take care of the rest."

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