Heading into its fourth yr in 2026, The Path Group is as soon as once more recruiting its subsequent class of younger path working elites who need to take the following step of their working careers. The applying course of is open till Sunday, February 8.
Should you’re a U.S.-based runner between 20 and 30 years previous and specializing in sub-ultra distances, The Path Group (TTT) offers a worthwhile alternative to reap the benefits of mentorship, journey help, coaching camps, and media protection. Program founder and four-time USATF nationwide champion Andy Wacker says they’re searching for the “most elite and promising younger path runners on the continent.”
This system, based in 2023, is designed to develop up-and-coming path runners needing extra help for advancing their working careers. In accordance with Wacker, “We aren’t coaches, and we aren’t a shoe sponsor. We’re the guts and soul of path working and deal with how we may help bridge the hole for elite, growth runners, whether or not that’s financially, by paying for race entries, race housing, and journey, or by serving to them assemble a world-class help system.”
Like final yr, the 2026 program will carry on six new athletes to hitch the remainder of the 20-person staff. This yr, this system will deal with bringing runners to 3 of probably the most outstanding U.S. sub-ultra distance races: the Sunapee Scramble, Damaged Arrow Skyrace, and Moab Half Marathon. The occasions function the 2026 U.S. Mountain Working Championships within the Up and Down Basic distance, a cease on the 2026 Mountain Working World Cup, and the 2026 USATF Path Half Marathon Nationwide Championships, respectively.
Sophie Wright and Shea Aquilano, each members of the 2025 TTT. Photograph: Andy Wacker
This system has a historical past of success, having beforehand assisted Anna Gibson, Christian Allen, and Lauren Gregory with their racing, all of whom went on to realize nationwide and worldwide success. This system has fostered long-term relationships with lots of the runners who’ve handed by means of it, and “graduates” nonetheless function a large and skilled community for brand new staff members.
TTT members obtain uniforms, sneakers, and equipment from program sponsors, in addition to housing at key races, skilled photographs, and consults with physiotherapists, chiropractors, energy coaches, and extra. Runners additionally obtain customized mentorship from skilled runners reminiscent of Allen, Courtney Coppinger, Rachel Tomajczyk, and Grayson Murphy.
The 2025 TTT gathers for a winter coaching camp in Moab, Utah. Photograph: Jeff Jones
Yr after yr, members of TTT see success. The 2025 class had Shea Aquilano place second on the 2025 JFK 50 Mile, 14th on the Path World Championships Lengthy Path, and win the Gorge Waterfalls 100k. Emily Clarke additionally positioned fifth on the Mammoth Trailfest 50k, and Hawk Name positioned eleventh on the Damaged Arrow 23k.
TTT affords a singular alternative to be a part of a working staff. Wacker says, “I imagine strongly in synergy. I feel we frequently see path working as a person endeavor and miss out on the truth that group is what differentiates path from different forms of working. My philosophy is that working collectively makes you quicker, and that working with a staff makes us higher.”
Hawk Name, member of the 2025 TTT. Photograph: Mike McMonagle
Now in its fourth yr, Wacker has seen the mentorship impact in his program. “Our staff capabilities like a Division I cross-country staff. You enter as a freshman: weak, realizing nothing. You might be requested to rise to a brand new stage, guided by upperclassmen, accumulating athletic prowess. In a yr or two, that freshman is the skilled main the following technology.”
Should you suppose you’d be a great match for this system and are taken with making use of, you’ll find extra info on the Path Group web site and obtain the utility for this system.
The 2025 TTT trains collectively in Moab, Utah. Photograph: Jeff Jones
