Canada’s fastest 1,500m man from Rio without a sponsor for 2017

Canada’s top 1,500m man in Rio is without a contract for 2017.

Nathan Brannen’s longtime supporter, Saucony, decided against resigning the 34-year-old Cambridge, Ont. native. Brannen, who has run 3:34.22 for 1,500m, has represented Canada at three Olympic Games including in Rio, where he placed 10th in the final. Saucony has sponsored Brannen for seven years following his graduation from the University of Michigan. His contract expires Dec. 31, 2016.

“I don’t do the sport for the paycheque, I like what I do,” Brannen says emphasizing that he is no way bitter about not being resigned. “I was under the impression that I would get resigned. It was definitely a surprise [after Rio].”

Last race with @SauconyRacing tomorrow in the Merrie Mile. Thanks for 7 years together. Bring on 2017!!! @saucony #honolulumarathon pic.twitter.com/REQKafEVag

— Nate Brannen, OLY (@natebrannen) December 10, 2016

He says that nothing will change in terms of his approach for 2017 as he is carded by Athletics Canada and will “let track do the talking” for the indoor season in hopes of getting signed by a brand. The exact details will be sorted out by Brannen’s agent while he will be focusing on track and running fast. “The big thing is starting off on a solid note,” he says. “I don’t blame anyone for sitting on the sidelines right now and waiting to see what I can do. I’m not stopped either way, maybe this summer I’ll be running in a white singlet if I need to.”

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The father of two lives and trains in Avon Lake, Ohio.

Brannen’s 10th-place finish in Rio was the best Olympic result of his career after running in the semifinals at both the Beijing and London Games. He fell during the semifinal in London and called the incident “the lowest point in my life” in a post-race interview. He was the captain of Canada’s 2012 Olympic track and field team.

Beyond his Olympic credentials, Brannen’s running accomplishments include representing Canada at four IAAF World Championships as well as winning a silver at both the Pan Am Games in 2015 and the Commonwealth Games in 2006. He raced for the final time in a Saucony kit at a road mile in Honolulu last weekend posting on Twitter, “Thanks for seven years together.”

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After it was announced that Brooks customized a pair of racing flats for beer miler Lewis Kent, Brannen sent out a widely-read tweet. The message reads, “Make Olympic Final, lose contract. Run a beer mile, gain contract. Something doesn’t seem right here. Or maybe I need to switch events.”

The social media post has been seen by more than 30,000 people in a 24-hour period. “I was simply poking fun at things to show the nature of our sport,” he says referring to the marketability of athletes. Two beer miler contracts have been announced in recent weeks including Brooks resigning Kent and Adidas signing Corey Bellemore.

Make Olympic Final, lose contract. Run a Beer Mile, gain contract. Something doesn't seem right here. Or maybe I need to switch events ?

— Nate Brannen, OLY (@natebrannen) December 14, 2016

Brannen’s approach to social media has generally been more focusing more on training and less time on posting. “The less I’m tweeting, the better shape I’m in.”

At 34, Brannen is taking his running career year-by-year though he says he is enjoying it as much now as he ever has before. The 2017 IAAF World Championships will be the big focus this summer, which would mark his fifth worlds team if he is able to qualify in the 1,500m. “I’m happy with where I am, I’m enjoying it,” he says.