Brooks Steps Up to Challenge Nike's Hold on Northwest's Elite Running Scene

Published by The Oregonian on February 19, 2014

The elite running scene in the Northwest suddenly is more interesting now that Brooks Running has jumped in with both feet.

In two years, the Brooks Beasts mid-distance training group has gone from concept to major player in a part of the country that was Nike’s playground for more than a decade.

“At this time last year, we had three athletes,” says Danny Mackey, Beasts coach. “Now we have 14.”

There are some developmental athletes in the mix, but more are competition-ready, win-now types such as two-time Olympian Nick Symmonds, a silver medalist in the 800 meters at last year’s IAAF World Outdoor Championships, and Erica Moore, a 2012 bronze medalist in the 800 at the World Indoor Championships.

The Beasts roster includes former Penn State star Casimir Loxsom, who finished second to Oregon’s Elijah Greer in the 800 in the NCAA championships both indoors and outdoors last year. Deborah Maier was the 2012 NCAA runner-up indoors in both the 3,000 and 5,000.

“The people we’re looking for are like Cas and Deb, who have the potential to make an Olympic or World team,” Mackey says. “They are the kind of athletes we’re trying to get out of college.”