Rudy Project and HOKA Northern Arizona Elite Renew Partnership
The high-end performance eyewear company and the professional distance team look forward to the Olympic year together
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – January 26, 2021 – HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite has announced the signing of a partnership with Rudy Project, one of the world’s first and leading sports eyewear manufacturers. The agreement extends their current cooperation and ensures that HOKA NAZ elite athletes will continue to wear Rudy Project performance sunglasses exclusively in both training and racing.
In 2020, HOKA NAZ Elite athletes wore Rudy Project eyewear at some of the year’s most prominent events including the United States Olympic Marathon Trials where Aliphine Tuliamuk won the women’s race in a pair of one of the brand’s most popular models; the Tralyx. More recently, Scott Fauble and Scott Smith ran 2:09:42 and 2:09:46 at The Marathon Project wearing Rudy Project.
HOKA NAZ Elite head coach Ben Rosario said securing another deal with Rudy Project was a focus for the team heading into 2021 because the athletes believe in the product.
“Flagstaff is a sunny town and thus sunglasses are an essential piece of equipment for us,” Rosario said. “So not only does our Rudy Project partnership help our bottom line, it also gives us an advantage in training and racing which is always the most important thing.”
Rudy Project Director of Sports Marketing, Chris Lupo said he is looking forward to growing the partnership with NAZ Elite.
“Despite the numerous challenges of 2020, NAZ Elite gave the running world hope through amazing performances, fan engagement, and even a thrilling race in The Marathon Project,” Lupo said. “I’m incredibly proud that we are not just renewing, but growing our partnership – particularly during such a challenging year. I’m also excited to watch NAZ Elite runners tear it up in 2021.”
Rudy Project, founded in 1985 in Treviso, Italy, has been worn by some of the world’s greatest endurance athletes including Tour de France Winners and Ironman® World Champions. In addition to HOKA NAZ Elite, the company currently sponsors one of the world’s best women’s cycling teams, Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank, as well as individual athletes like 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Gwen Jorgenson and 2016 Olympian Ben Kanute, among others.
In addition to the 2021 Olympian, Tuliamuk, and marathoners Fauble and Smith, the HOKA NAZ Elite roster includes several other Olympic track and field hopefuls including Americans Stephanie Bruce, Tyler Day, Nick Hauger, Ryan Hill, Lauren Paquette, Danielle Shanahan, Kellyn Taylor and Sid Vaughn as well as international athletes hoping to represent their respective countries; Matt Baxter from New Zealand, Canadian Rory Linkletter and Great Britain’s Alice Wright.
About Northern Arizona Elite
HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite is a professional sports organization whose mission is to recruit, develop and produce distance runners to compete at the very highest level of international athletics and operate as a successful business by building a global fan base for the team and its athletes through comprehensive and ongoing marketing efforts on a local, national and international level.
About Rudy Project
Italian Crafted Sunglasses, Helmets, Goggles, + Rx/Prescription Eyewear Since 1985 • 7-Time #1 Most-Worn Aero / TT Helmet at IRONMAN® World Championships • Unbeatable Replacement Lens Guarantee • www.rudyprojectna.com/pages/
• PR Contact: Mark Jordan [email protected]