ELLIE Leather’s superb season has just taken another turn for the better – with an announcement of an exciting sponsorship deal.
“Incredibly excited to officially announce that I am now a professional runner for Under Armour!” said Leather on social media.
“I will be a member of the new Baltimore based mission run group and even better, I will continue to train under the guidance of my collegiate coach Lara.
“(I will be) starting my dream job with Lara & Grady alongside me, two of the most special people in my life the last three years seems pretty perfect to me. Women leading in sport at the highest level is a powerful thing & a trend I hope continues.”
The UA deal is a reward for a tremendous year in which the 23-year-old Yate & District/Westbury Harrier improved her personal bests over 800m (2:05.32), 1500m (4:11.33), mile (4:34.89), 3000m (9:30.10) and 5000m (16:23.43).
But it is the 1500m in which she has enjoyed the biggest impact. As a student at Cincinnati University she reached the finals of the prestigious NCAA D1 Championships, finishing 11th and when she came back to England qualified for the finals of the UK Championships having won her heat in impressive style. She placed eighth in a very strong final.
Her best time has also put her 16th in the UK Rankings and second in the South West behind Poole international Melissa Courtney-Bryant, who is representing Wales at the Commonwealth Games.
Now that Leather will be able to focus all her energies on her athletics career one can only hope that 2023 will see her break through into that sub 4mins 10secs group of women to put her firmly in contention for international honours.
“Years on years of hard work and having my heart set on making this a reality it’s a special moment and I can’t wait for the next steps in my career,” added Leather.
“Thank you to everyone involved for believing in me and giving me this amazing new home. UA have some really exciting things in the works and I’m so ready to be part of it all.”
Everyone at Easy Runner and throughout the west athletics community will wish Leather all the best for the immediate future.