Despite Losing Out on Paris Olympics for Marathon, Jessica McClain Signs Brooks Running Contract

Jessica McClain’s journey to this pivotal moment has been marked by unwavering dedication in the pursuit of excellence. She placed fourth at the Olympic Trials this year but secured a remarkable victory off the track. Despite falling short in her bid to represent her country on the grand stage of the Paris Olympics 2024, her talent has not gone unnoticed.

As a result of her beast-level performance at the trials, she garnered attention from spectators around the world. Brooks Running, a renowned name in the athletic footwear and apparel industry, recognized McClain’s exceptional capabilities and has chosen her as a brand ambassador. McClain’s partnership with Brooks Running unfolds a promising fusion of athletic excellence and groundbreaking achievements.

Jessica McClain secures Brooks Running contract

Brooks Running made a huge announcement today, revealing their signing of Jess McClain following her remarkable 4th place finish at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Notably, McClain had been a part of the Brooks Beasts team from 2015 to 2018. CitiusMag posted on their X Account, “✍🏻 @JessTonn has signed a professional contract with @brooksrunning a month after finishing fourth at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in a personal best of 2:25:46”. Jessica McClain signed with Brooks even before, when she graduated from Stanford. At the time she was a seven-time All-American with a personal best of 15:18 in 5000m. 

McClain’s return to Brooks Running holds a special significance as she previously trained with the Brooks Beasts for three and a half years, starting in the summer of 2015 and continuing until the end of 2018. She told Runner’s World, “Coming out of college, when I met with Brooks and visited Seattle, it felt like the right fit,” McClain said, adding she always liked running in Brooks shoes. On X post, the 32-year-old expressed happiness upon the deal saying, “I’ve always connected with Brooks’ goal to inspire everyone to run their path and experience the power that comes with it”.

She continued expressing her gratitude towards the deal, as she added, “Returning to Brooks is an exciting next step and I’m looking forward to my future here as I continue to learn more about myself and this journey towards my goals.” After participating in the Trials without a sponsor, McClain expressed her openness to a sponsorship deal but emphasized her desire for a different approach this time. With her new agreement, she can stay in Arizona and maintain her successful training regimen.

Remarkable journey for unending Olympic dream

McClain gradually worked her way back to training, completing her first marathon in 2022 and qualifying for the Olympic Trials in 2023. Demonstrating sheer determination, during her third marathon, she achieved a remarkable personal record of 2:25:46, all while balancing a full-time job and coaching herself. Jessica McClain is a full-time working professional, serving as the executive director of the JohnJay & Rich #LoveUp Foundation. Fast forward to February 2022, she ran her first marathon, the Mesa Marathon, finishing with a time of 2:33. Next was the Grandma’s Marathon, where she clocked 2:29:25 in June 2023.

Read More: “It’s Been So Fun”: Missing Paris Olympics, Fourth-Place Marathon Finisher Reveals Secret to Positivity

After leaving the Beasts, McClain moved back to Phoenix and reunited with her high school coach, Jeff Messer. The next was the Olympic Trials, where she lost by mere seconds. “I’ve never made it to the Olympic Trials on the track and that’s always been a goal,” she shared. The 32-year-old is not done with the Paris dream yet, and she is looking out to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in the 10,000 metres. “That would be super exciting”, the track community would be watching out for what the future holds for her.