Craft Sportswear’s ambitions in running, via its apparel and shoes, now also includes the Craft Elite Run Team. The team is part of the Swedish sports brand’s goals for engagement in running, especially ultra- and trail-running.
‘The newly formed world-class outfit will compete all over the world in various long-distance events, focusing primarily on trail races. In addition, the runners will be deeply involved in the development of new shoes and apparel for both training and racing.’
The Craft Elite Run Team consists of the following strong athletes:
- Tommy Rivs – ultrarunner based in Flagstaff, USA, who has been part of the Craft family since 2020.
- Jacob Puzey – American ultrarunner who boasts numerous ultrarunning wins, course records, and FKTs but is probably best known for his 50-mile treadmill world record of 4:57:45.
- Tessa Chesser – American long-distance trail runner who in 2019 placed second at the Penyagolosa 110K and third at Run Rabbit Run 100 mile.
- EmKay Sullivan – American distance runner, coach and Olympic Trials qualifier who aim to make her move into ultra-distances.
- Manuela Vilaseca – Brazilian ultrarunner who has twice finished top 10 at UTMB, finished fifth at the 2019 TDS and who has won several TNF Challenges.
- David Laney – American distance runner with a third and fourth place finish at Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, 2019 winner of Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile and 2:17 marathoner.
- Alexander Holmblad – Swedish runner with a background in track who has transitioned to longer distances on the road and in more challenging terrain
“It’s extremely exciting to launch such a competitive team as the Craft Elite Run Team and it will be very interesting to follow the runners in races across the world,” said Craft’s Product & Marketing Director Daniel Högling.
“Their contribution to our product development is and will be invaluable, which we experienced when Tommy Rivs was involved in shaping the CTM Ultra Carbon into the high-class running shoe it is today.”
The Craft Elite Run Team runners will train and compete in the CTM Ultra Carbon shoe as well as the upcoming race version CTM Ultra Carbon Race Rebel.
Key competitions in 2021 will be the Ultravasan and Fjällmaraton races in Sweden as well as several of the events in the newly established Spartan Trail Series where Craft is the main sponsor.
