Coaching specialist Endorphin Fitness has confirmed the formation of the Endorphin Fitness Elite Team. The Endorphin Fitness Elite Team is positioned for those athletes who have dedicated themselves to achieving top-level success in triathlon and are looking to take the next step in their training and racing with the support of a team and sponsors.
The team exists to provide elite level amateur athletes the tools to take their training to the next level through coaching, some of the industry’s best gear, and a platform to allow for the further improvement of their training and racing.
The team’s vision statement is ‘to provide triathlon’s best support system so talented amateur elite athletes can take their training to the next level. We strive to be the best amateur elite triathlon team in the country.’
Nick Brodnicki, Endurance Coach at Endorphin Fitness said “Endorphin Fitness has the largest youth team in the US and one of the largest and most successful high performance junior teams as well.
“We’ve been coaching adults to equal success for ten years now with numerous Kona and 70.3 Worlds qualifiers as well as plenty of Ironman/Ironman 70.3 AG podium finishers and loads of regional champions. We look forward to welcoming all new team members at this exciting time.”
Team benefits (included with membership fee)
- Dedicated sponsor product and deep discounts on all Endorphin Fitness partner brands including Felt Bicycles, Continental, Pearl Izumi, Shimano, Profile Design and Cobb
- Access to a race performance bonus program. The ability to qualify for race bonuses will be dependent on performance and participation in team events. Bonuses are also pending additional sponsor participation
- Team race uniform, podium shirt, Endorphin Fitness swim cap, Endorphin Fitness water bottle, and Endorphin Fitness visor. Other products such as custom jackets, bike kits and extra bottles provided at a 30% discount
- 15% discount on all training camps
- Recognition as a team member on the EF website/Facebook/Blog
- Dedicated portion of online team forum on Ning
- Dedicated Team Manager to help provide sponsorship deals to team members, coordinate team events, and promote team members on social media
- In addition to those benefits mentioned above, all Elite Team athletes receive a 20% discount on Custom and Semi-Custom Endorphin Fitness coaching services
Elite Team eligibility criteria
Among the requirements an Elite Team member must fulfil, each member should have two finishes within the past year that were within 10% of the first place finisher in age group and gender, at any race with a prize purse totalling, or exceeding US$5,000.
This result must be achieved on the same course, and on the same day, as the age group winner (the ‘winner’ is defined as the first male and female finisher in the respective age group, according to the final results published by race management).
Qualification (not roll-down) for Ironman World Championships, Ironman 70.3 World Championships and Age Group Worlds (in the Olympic distance) will also count as a 10% finish.
When submitting an application, athletes should include qualifying races, under the 10% rule, along with clearly identified times and the winner of the age group as well as a direct link to online results.
Endorphin Fitness notes that it has the right to accept or deny any application at its discretion. Those who have a result that is close to 10% are encouraged to apply. Endorphin Fitness will also consider an application from athletes who have a history of strong results but have been unable to race recently.
Enrolment schedule
Enrolment for prospective Elite Team members opened on 8 December 2014, through to team finalization on 31 December 2014. Prospective team members should submit an application with race time qualification.
Interested athletes can please print and fill out the team application form, and then submit the application to nick[at]endorphinfitness.com.
The final Endorphin Fitness Elite Team will be announced to applied athletes during the beginning of January, with deposits (US$100) due at that time. Final team details will be presented in athlete contracts, to be sent out during mid-January. The annual team membership fee will be US$245.
Athlete expectations
- Complete a minimum of four (4) races during the 2015 season of at least Ironman (full), Half Ironman, and/or Olympic distance
- Act as ambassadors of the Endorphin Fitness brand and the Endorphin Fitness Elite Team
- Race in the Endorphin Fitness official Elite Team race kit
- Wear the Endorphin Fitness podium t-shirt to all awards ceremonies
- Attend and participate in specific team events
- Use online or group coaching programs provided by Endorphin Fitness during the athlete contract period
- Write a quarterly blog post for the team and a race report from ‘A’ races
