PRRO Adds “Bump Up Bonus” to Circuit Purse for 2013-2014 Season
Runner Could Earn $24,000 Bonus at 2014 Race of Champions at AJC Peachtree Road Race
To underscore its commitment to elite competition, the Professional Road Running Organization (PRRO)
is announcing a “Bump Up Bonus” to supplement the $15,000 Circuit Purse it
is offering at next summer’s PRRO Championship at the AJC Peachtree Road Race. The Bump Up Bonus could result in a runner earning $24,000 on top of the first place prize money offered by Peachtree.
“The Bump Up Bonus, together with the existing Circuit Purse and the nearly $400,000 in total prize money offered at our member races, emphasizes our commitment to elite competition,” said PRRO president Don Kardong. “In addition, our races continue to work closely with the United States Anti-Doping Agency to make sure that elite athletes at our events are competing fairly.”
Under rules that have been in place for the PRRO Circuit for the past few years, an athlete who wins one of the first four PRRO Circuit events, and finishes first at the PRRO Championship at the AJC Peachtree Road Race, claims the PRRO Circuit Bonus. The Bonus is split if an eligible male and female both win the Championship at Peachtree. If no eligible athlete wins, then the Bonus grows by an additional $5,000 for the following season. Since no one took home the prize this year, the 2013-2014 Circuit Bonus has increased to $15,000.
Now, with the Bump Up Bonus, an athlete is rewarded for each additional top three finish in a PRRO Circuit race during the season. The Circuit Bonus is increased $5,000 for one additional top three finish, and an additional $2,000 for each additional top three finish. Athletes are thus eligible for up to $9,000 in additional bonuses, on top of the $15,000 Circuit Purse. A full description of the bonus can be found at
https://www.prro.org/bonus.html.
“At a time when funds available for elite athletes are being curtailed at many races, the PRRO Circuit is upping our commitment,” said Kardong. “World-class competition brings unparalleled excitement to the races on our circuit, and supports the development of the sport.”
The PRRO Circuit offers world-class competition for athletes of all nations in events shorter than the marathon distance. The circuit has shown its commitment to a drug-free sport by self-funding mandatory drug testing for elite athletes at all the PRRO Circuit events. The testing is conducted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
2013-2014 PRRO Circuit Events:
Boilermaker 15K,
July 14, 2013, Utica, NY. $57,000 in prize money with $7,000 for 1st.
Men’s winner: Julius Kipyego Keter, Kenya, 43:55. Women’s winner: Lineth Chepkurui, Kenya, 50:33.
World’s Best 10K,
February 23, 2014, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Over $120,000 in prize money and bonuses. $15,000 for 1st.
Elite athlete contact: Rafael Acosta, 787-767-2000.
Credit Union Cherry
Blossom Ten Mile,
April 6, 2014, Washington,
DC. $45,000 in prize money and bonuses. $8,000 for
1st. Elite athlete contact: Bill Orr, 863-533-0654 or
borr@cherryblossom.org.
Lilac Bloomsday Run 12K,
May 4, 2014, Spokane, WA. $81,000 in prize money. $7,000 for 1st. Elite athlete contact:
Jon Neill, jhneill@eahjlaw.com
The AJC Peachtree Road
Race (2013-2014 PRRO Championship),
July 4, 2014, Atlanta, GA. Over $130,000 in prize money. $15,000 for 1st. $15,000 PRRO Circuit Bonus for eligible runners.
Elite athlete contact: Elizabeth Unislawski, 404-231-9064 x11.
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