Canada’s fastest-ever in women’s marathon running has signed a first-of-its-kind deal with one of the world’s largest sports brands.
Lanni Marchant has signed on with Under Armour making her the brand’s first professional runner in Canada. Previously, Marchant was sponsored by Asics and Saucony. Marchant’s new deal with Under Armour will see her sponsored leading up to and through the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lanni to the Under Armour family. Her fearless attitude, competitive spirit and passion for women’s equality in sport fits directly with the core DNA of our brand,” says Shana Ferguson, Under Armour Canada’s Director of Marketing. “We’re beyond excited to support Lanni in the next chapter of her athletic journey.”
Marchant, the Canadian record holder in the marathon and half-marathon, is coming off a year in which she doubled at the Olympics, the first Canadian to run both the 10,000m and the marathon at a Summer Games. The 33-year-old finished 24th in the marathon and 25th in the 10,000m in Rio.
The London, Ont. native’s lifetime bests include 2:28:00 in the marathon, 1:10:47 in the half-marathon and 31:46.94 over 10,000m. Among her lengthy list of accomplishments are a bronze medal from the 2015 Pan Am Games, the 2016 Canadian 10K road title and a fourth-place finish at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Marchant, whose most recent marathon came in New York City in the fall where she placed seventh, is expected to compete for Canada at the 2017 IAAF World Championships.
Marchant at the Under Armour headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. Photo: Matt Ryb
Photo: Matt Ryb
Photo: Matt Ryb
Photo: Matt Ryb
Photo: Matt Ryb
Photo: Matt Ryb
Photo: Matt Ryb
Marchant at the Under Armour headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. Photo: Matt Ryb
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Marchant is the first big name in Canada to land a deal with the Baltimore-based sportswear brand. Jamaica’s Aisha Praught, who trains out of Boulder, Colo., with Olympic bronze medallist Emma Coburn, is another high-profile Under Armour athlete as is Nick Arciniaga. The company has increasingly grown its presence in the Canadian running scene, most recently becoming the title sponsor of Canada Running Series’ (CRS) Eastside 10K in Vancouver.
Under Armour, which began manufacturing footwear in 2006, has expanded its running lineup in recent years. The brand offers racing flats, trainers, trail shoes and more in its ever-growing footwear collection. Canadians will be particularly happy as the brand’s online platform offers cross-border shipping from the United States.
“Under Armour continues to gain momentum in the road running scene and I am honoured and excited to be the first Canadian elite runner to join the roster,” says Lanni Marchant. “The brand is committed to bringing cutting-edge innovative apparel, accessories and footwear to market and I look forward to collaborating with the entire Under Armour team.”
The Toronto resident will be in attendance for Ottawa Race Weekend, which includes the Ottawa Marathon and Canadian 10K Championships, though she will not be racing.