Sydney Gidabuday, a six-time NCAA Division 2 champion and 13-time All-American at Adams State representing Roots Running Project, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing Nov. 17 in the second Michigan Pro Ekiden at Stony Creek Metro Park. Gidabuday, who officially joined Roots Running Project in August, will team with Frank Lara and Aidan Reed, along with Alia Gray, Lexi Zeis and Maggie Montoya on the co-ed relay that features a pair of 6-kilometer legs, a pair of 5-kilometer legs and a pair of 10-kilometer legs. Roots Running Project will square off against Nike Bowerman Track Club, HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite, Minnesota Distance Elite, Team Boulder and the host group from Hansons Brooks Original Distance Project. Gidabuday expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to be selected for a team event after only having the opportunity to represent Roots Running twice this fall in road races. He shares how meaningful it was to race in team competition throughout his Adams State career and explains how significant it is for the event to not only distribute prize money for the top lineups, but also bonus money for the fastest times achieved on each leg of the relay. Gidabuday explains his transition from Tinman Elite to working with Richey Hansen and Roots Running Project and how well he has felt embraced by his new teammates. He also analyzes the opportunities to help elevate the profile of the group and his desire to help more athletes gain sponsorship like teammates Noah Droddy and Frank Lara. Gidabuday reflects on the time he had in between teams and being able to train during the summer while his father coordinated workouts, in addition to how much has benefited since joining Roots Running Project in August. He also explains how valuable it was to remain in Colorado and continue to train at 7,000-feet elevation following his successful career at Adams State. Gidabuday reflects on his third-place finishes Oct. 10 at the Blue Cross Broad Street Run 10-mile event in Philadelphia, in addition to earning third Nov. 6 at the USATF 5K Championships in New York. He examines his overall preparation to race Dec. 5 at the USATF Half Marathon Championships in Hardeeville, S.C., and the opportunity to earn a spot to compete next November at the World Half Marathon Championships in Yangzhou, China. Gibdabuday also analyzes the potential of both Adams State men's and women's teams Nov. 20 at the Division 2 Cross Country Championships at the Abbey Golf Course in Saint Leo, Fla., the same site where he contributed to a Grizzlies' team title in 2016.
