Bobby Curtis Out at Reebok -- In at Hansons-Brooks

The folks at FloTrack have just confirmed that Bobby Curtis has signed on with Hansons-Brooks after getting dropped by Reebok, as the shoe company downsized its elite sponsorship after the Olympic Games. According to Dave Monti at Race Results Weekly, all Reebok-sponsored athletes with annual contracts ending on December 31st -- including Kim Smith and Bobby Curtis -- were not renewed for 2013. Here's the story from the FloTrack website:

Kim Smith and Bobby Curtis Dropped by Reebok
Mitch Kastoff, FloTrack
January 15, 2013, 7:03pm

David Monti of Races Results Weekly has reported that Kim Smith and Bobby Curtis have been dropped by Reebok.

David Monti @d9monti

Sad to see @Reebok cut back on runner sponsorships. @BobbbyCurtis & @Kimsmithnz not renewed. Curtis joined @hansonsrun; Smith TBD.

15 Jan 13

Unfortunately, Reebok has decided to cut back on its runner sponsorship. Both Smith and Curtis were signed by Reebok after incredible senior years at Providence College and Villanova University, respectively.

In their final year at school, Curtis claimed his first NCAA title in the outdoor 5k while Smith took home four individual titles (one in cross, two indoors, and one outdoors).

Smith’s professional running career is highlighted by New Zealand national records from nearly every event from the mile to the marathon.

After running personal bests of 14:39.89 (2009) and 30:35.54 (2008), Smith began to move to the roads. In 2010, she posted her personal best in the marathon (2:25:21) with a 7th place finish at the London Marathon. The next year she ran 67:11, which was the fastest recorded half-marathon on American soil.

However, major championships have been difficult for Smith outside of her fifth place finish in the Osaka 10k.

2004 Athens 5k	15:31.80 (11th)
2005 Helsinki 10k	31:24.29 (15th)
2007 Osaka 10k	32:06.89 (5th)
2008 Beijing 10k	30:51.00 (9th)
2009 Berlin 10k	31:21.42 (8th)
2012 London Marathon	2:26:59 (15th)

 

Curtis also had arguably his most success in 2011 as well. That year, the Villanova alumnus ran personal bests in the 10k (27:24.67), half-marathon (61:52), and the marathon (2:16:44). Curtis had run his PR in the 5k the year before, clocking a 13:18.97 fifth place finish in Montreuil-sous-Bois.

Bobby Curtis @BobbbyCurtis

Finally running clothes that fit properly! (spoiler alert: I'm no longer with Reebok)

12 Jan 13

We’ve been told by management agencies that it’s typical for shoe companies to drop athletes following an Olympic year. Rather than ride the “Olympic high,” companies must act in their best interest going forward as a business.

For example, Nate Brannen did not continue his contract with Saucony and fellow Reebok athlete, Dan Huling, is now with Nike and training with OTC.

Both Smith and Curtis still have plenty of promise in the longer distances, but the funding is simply not there. Thankfully, Brooks has picked up Curtis while no reports have surfaced regarding Smith’s sponsorship.