Road Runners Club of America Announces 2024 RunPro Grant Recipients

December 31, 2024

Two up-and-coming U.S. distance runners receive $3,000 each in financial support from RRCA

Arlington, VA /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) congratulates its 28^th RunPro Grant class of Benjamin Allen and Cailee Peterson.

Since 1996, the RRCA has awarded $756,500 in grants that support aspiring professional U.S. runners. The goal of the program is to assist American post-collegiate runners who show great promise to develop into national and world class professional runners. The RRCA has provide grants to 148 athletes, including those selected in 2024 (75 women and 73 men). The grants awarded by the RRCA go directly to the athletes to help support their goals and training needs.

Congratulations:

Benjamin Allen (Dobbs Ferry, NY) A native of North St. Paul, Minnesota, Benjamin Allen was a multisport athlete in high school, excelling in football and basketball before focusing more seriously on running as a junior. His success at middle distance events led him to compete collegiately at Concordia University in St. Paul, where he earned a 4th place finish in the 1500m at the 2019 NCAA Championships and a runner-up finish in 2021.

After college, Allen joined Empire Elite Track Club, a non-sponsored track club based in New York and coached by John Trautmann. He trains alongside top athletes like Eric Holt, Jack Salisbury, and Hazem Miawad. His professional career has included notable appearances at the 2022 USA Indoor Championships (800m), 2022 USA Outdoor Championships (1500m), and 2023 Outdoor Championships (1500m). He also competed in the 2024 Olympic Trials (1500m/800m), where Allen made it to the semifinals in the 800m.

His personal bests include a 3:52.7 mile, 3:38.6 in the 1500m, 1:46.2 in the 800m, and 2:16.6 in the 1000m, ranking 3rd in U.S. history.

Cailee Peterson (Minneapolis, MN): Cailee grew up in Mayville, North Dakota, where she was a three-time state champion in Cross Country and Track & Field. She attended South Dakota State University, studying Ecology & Environmental Sciences, setting a school record mark in the Mile (4:46), and qualifying for the NCAA DI 1500m quarterfinals. She graduated in 2022, after five years of competing at SDSU, and moved to Duluth, MN with her partner as he began medical school. Upon discovering she had another full year of eligibility, she competed an extra year at the University of Minnesota – Duluth as a graduate student, coming away with two All-American honors, an NCAA DII Runner-Up finish in the mile, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Environmental Education.

After finishing school, Peterson attended the 2023 RRCA RunPro camp and made the decision to join Minnesota Distance Elite, a professional running team based in Minneapolis. She continued to focus on middle-distance events on the track and decided to also give road racing a chance. Peterson experienced a breakthrough road mile season during the summer of 2024, lowering her times from a debut 4:50 at the USATF Road Mile Championships to a blazing 4:26 at the Ryan Shay Mile in Charlevoix, MI. She aspires to become a consistent threat in middle distance races across the country for years to come.

About RRCA: The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is the oldest and largest national association of running organizations and runners dedicated to empowering everyone to run since 1958. The RRCA champions the development and success of community-based running organizations that empower all people to participate in the sport of running in pursuit of enjoyment, health, well-being, and competition. Learn more at: www.rrca.org

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Contact: Andy Smith | programs@RRCA.org | 703-525-3890