GROSSE POINTE (MI) Professional runners Carlos Trujillo and Iveen Chepkemoi have signed agency contracts with Elite Runner Management LLC (ERM), the Michigan based sports agency headed by Chris Mengel. “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to work with Carlos and Iveen and to add them to the mix of talented and accomplished athletes represented by ERM,” Mengel said. “I am excited to collaborate with them as they move forward in their careers.”
It’s been a remarkable journey for Carlos Trujillo. From humble beginnings as an unrecruited high school athlete out of Middleton, Idaho, to a walk-on and then 10,000 meter PAC 10 champion and three-time All-American at Oregon, to a competitor at World Championships in Moscow (representing the USA) and London (representing Guatemala), and then to the biggest stage of all, the marathon at the XXXI Olympiad in Rio in 2016, it’s been quite a ride. “I am honored to partner with Carlos to see where the next steps in his illustrious career take him,” Mengel said. “Not only is he an Olympian, he is a role model and positive influence for children both in the US and Guatemala. In sharing his story, Carlos brings hope to kids from challenging backgrounds that through commitment and hard work you can attain even your loftiest goals.”
Trujillo is also pleased to be working with Mengel. “I have known Chris for many years and since day one, I appreciate his honesty,” said Trujillo. “He represents many of my colleagues and I know he looks out for his athletes and always works in their best interest. Add to that his passion for the sport and it became an easy decision for me to partner with Chris.” Trujillo, who lives and trains in Colorado Springs and is currently sponsored by Brooks, will be racing a marathon in the Spring with the goal of representing Guatemala internationally, either in another Olympic Games or World Championships. ERM is expected to announce the marathon shortly.
At only 22, Iveen Chepkemoi is already one of the best young talents in road racing. In the past few years she has started to reap the benefits of the hard work she has put in after placing 6th in the 1500 while representing Kenya at the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships in the Ukraine. Chepkemoi had a breakthrough year in 2019. She placed 4th at the B.A.A. 10K , 2nd at the HAP Crim 10 Miler in Flint, MI , 2nd at the Boilermaker 15K in Utica , NY, and 4th at the Lilac Bloomsday 12K in Spokane, WA. In October, she went toe-to-toe with Molly Huddle to be the runner-up at the Reebok Boston 10K (formerly Tufts 10K) for Women, losing by only 6 seconds and setting a personal best of 31:57.
“Big things are in store for this athlete,” Mengel said. “Iveen has already shown signs of greatness. I am excited to be working with her to see how far and how fast she can go.” Reached at her home in Kenya, Chepkemoi expressed gratitude for partnering with Elite Runner Management and expressed enthusiasm for the lofty career goals she has set for herself. “I have been blessed by God with running talent,” Chepkemoi said. “I am young and have been racing on the roads for only two years. My goal is to continue to improve each year and to one day break the world record for the 10K [currently 29:43, held by fellow countrywoman Joyciline Jepkosgei]. ERM provides me with the support I will need to pursue this goal. I am thankful that Chris accepted me as part of his group.” Chepkemoi will return to the US this month and is slated to run a series of road races here in the Spring. While competing in the US she will live and train at altitude in Colorado.
Trujillo and Chepkemoi will be joining an Elite Runner Management roster which includes Weldon Kirui, Patrick Rizzo, Tim Young, Nicole DiMercurio, Zach Hine, and Rachel Walny. Rizzo, Young, DiMercurio, and Hine are scheduled to compete in the marathon at the United States Olympic Trials in Atlanta on February 29.
