02 Dec USA Track & Field Foundation Awards Elite Athlete Development Grant to Marathoner Robert “Bobby” Curtis
INDIANAPOLIS – The USA Track & Field Foundation has awarded its final Elite Athlete Development Grant of 2014 to marathon runner Robert “Bobby” Curtis. Curtis will be receiving a grant in the amount of $10,000, Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld announced today.
“I am extremely grateful and excited to be receiving a USA Track & Field Foundation grant. The grant will provide valuable financial assistance as I train for the 2016 Olympic Trials. I look forward to making the USA Track & Field Foundation board and staff proud by making the 2016 Olympic team in the marathon!” exclaimed Curtis.
Curtis has shown great resilience and strength this year as he continues to pound the pavement representing our country on an international level. He had a very successful race at the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 12th, placing as the top American male finisher with a time of 2:11.20. He took 9th place overall and landed himself a new personal record.
Curtis has shown promise throughout a running career that sprouted during his tenure at Villanova University in Philadelphia. Highlights along the way include his first place title at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 5000m, being a 2008 US Olympic Trials Finalist in the 5000m and placing tenth at the 2012 Olympic Trials 10,000m race in Eugene, Oregon.
Combined with grants that the Foundation awarded early this year the USA Track & Field Foundation has awarded $249,000 to emerging elite athletes in 2014.