Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Business of Running, with Kyle Merber

"There are definitely stars who make $500,000, a million dollars a year. If someone is breaking world records, they are getting paid."

It's a series! Welcome to "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know!" I've worked in the running industry in some capacity for roughly a decade now, and as much as I've immersed myself, there's still so much I don't know or understand. So if I, a relative industry insider, am still confused about things like shoe contracts, drug testing, waterfall starts on the track, and the Diamond Leagues, surely I'm not alone. I put out the ask — What's something you don't understand or have always wanted to ask about the running industry? — and the responses came pouring in with great questions.

So today, former professional runner and founder of The Lap Count (and track and field's biggest fan and hype guy) Kyle Merber is here to answer all of your questions about the business of running. Sponsorships and appearance fees and "OK but who actually pays coaches?" and NDAs, oh my!

SPONSOR: Tracksmith. New customers, use code ALINEW for $15 off your first Tracksmith order over $75. Returning customers, use code ALIGIVE for free shipping, plus a portion of the proceeds from your order will be donated to Moms Demand Action.

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