Photo: Scott Flathouse

Santa Barbara, California — For the latest addition to the rabbitPRO team, Allison Cleaver, running is not just a solitary sport; rather, it's a family affair. “There is a long history of my family being involved with the sport. I vividly remember cycling beside my dad while he would go on his evening runs. It was these bonding moments that sparked my interest in running.”

Not long after, that spark grew into a flame, as Cleaver started running competitively late in her high school career but quickly realized that she had the talent and desire to take things to the next level. Cleaver’s hard work resulted in her earning a walk-on spot at the University of Texas at Austin, where she competed in cross country and track, always relishing the opportunity for steady improvement that running provides to those willing to work hard. “Running to me means, being fierce and unstoppable. I’m a firm believer if you put in the work, you will get your reward and I’m not afraid to work hard.”

Indeed, the 2018 season provided plentiful rewards for the runner, who credits some of her continued improvement to an emphasis on strength and recovery work that has kept her injury-free. “I’ve been fortunate enough to not have any injuries set me back within the past year. I take my easy days very easy and my hard days hard and THAT has been the key to my success.”

For Cleaver, success in 2018 included qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials not once, but twice. First up was her win in November at the CNO Financial Indianapolis Half Marathon in a time of 1:12:47. That race served as her final tune up before the California International Marathon, where Cleaver ran a personal best of 2:36:13 to achieve the USATF A standard for the trials.

Looking toward the future, Cleaver is laser focused on a certain race in Atlanta next February. “With my recent success, I am more confident than I have ever been and am anxious to see what I can accomplish. All of 2019 racing will revolve around having a great race for the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon.” With her sights set high, Cleaver is grateful for her new sponsor rabbit, which even played a small part in her post-collegiate return to the sport. “My husband actually came across rabbit on Facebook one day. He mentioned it to me and suggested that I apply for the rabbitELITE team. I had actually been retired from running for about a year...but I was attracted to rabbit because of the strong community and their care for their athletes."

Allison winning the CNO Financial Indianapolis Half Marathon.