New England (NE) Distance has announced the signing of former Trumbull High and Providence College runner Julian Saad to its elite post-collegiate team.
The team has Saad slated to compete at the elite Run4Kerri 4 mile road race in Wakefield, RI on Sunday as well as the USATF-NE Grand Prix Bobby Doyle 5 Miler in Narragansett, RI on Sunday, Aug. 14.
"We are extremely excited to add Julian to the NE Distance team,” said NE Distance President Nich Haber. “He’s a great athlete who is continuing to improve and we are happy to be able to give him an opportunity to continue to push his limits."
Saad, 25, began his running career at Trumbull High, where he was a multiple All-State runner in cross country and track and field. Captain his senior year, Saad left Trumbull with school records in the 3,200 meter run, three-mile run, 4x800 meter and distance medley relays.
He moved to New York to become an All-Atlantic 10 conference runner while at Fordham University and transferred to Providence College to complete his graduate degree in mental health counseling.
With the Friars, Saad enjoyed a nationally-recognized career.
In 2013, he earned All-Big East Conference honors and finished in 70th place at the 2013 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship race, helping the Friars to a 16th-place finish. This past year, he raced with the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), setting personal bests in the 1,500 meter run (3:47.74) and the 5,000 meter run (13:57.62).
It is Saad’s background in education that solidifies him as a perfect fit for the NE Distance family. He earned a master’s degree in education at Providence College and hosts The Brain Always Wins, a podcast meant to improve your life through better brain management.
“The character of our athletes is as important to our program as their athletic ability and Julian scores on both counts,” Haber said. “He will be joining our group of athletes, who will be coaching middle school cross country this fall in Providence.”
For more information about Saad or the NE Distance Project, contact Haber atinfo@nedistance.org or visit nedistance.org.
NE Distance, Inc. is a New England based non-profit organization with a dual mission to promote health and well-being among children while providing support to post-collegiate athletes on a training path to top-level competition.
Established in 2012, the not-for-profit organization recruits top-level post-collegiate runners and provides them with housing, travel stipends, gear, and physical therapy.
Each NE Distance athlete works 16-20 hours per week providing mentorship, coaching and tutoring for the youth while living within the community to model good habits for health, including physical activity and smart eating habits.