It’s a match made in running heaven.
Ocean State Running would like to congratulate La Salle Academy’s Marshall Vernon, who made it official on Monday that he has signed an NIL Deal with Marathon Sports. The Rams multiple all-stater disclosed the news to the public through his Instagram account.
“Super excited to announce that I’ve officially signed an NIL deal with @marathonsports!
Marathon Sports is shaping the Rhode Island running scene through their support of @oceanstaterun and their retail presence downtown, and I’m beyond proud to partner with a brand that truly lives and breathes running in RI.”
Marathon Sports, which powers our website and is one of the leading running-specialty stores in the country, couldn’t have chosen a more suitable athlete to promote their brand. Vernon has been one of Rhode Island’s most prolific distance runners the last few years. The La Salle standout has won five individual state titles, including his first cross-country crown this past fall and the 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs during the indoor track & field season. Along with those accomplishments, Vernon has often excelled on the regional and national level. This past year alone, he’s earned qualifying spots to the Nike Cross Nationals (Dec. 7) and the Millrose Games (Feb. 6-8). The much sought-after Division 1 college prospect owns PRs of 8:30.18 for the 3K, 9:01.62 for the 3,200m, 1:56.99 for the 800m and 4:10.64 for the mile. The latter of those performances placed him eighth as a sophomore at the 2024 BSR Elite Scholastic Mile, an event he’s among the favorites to win on May 2 at Souhegan High (NH) of this year.
Vernon, along with Brooke Strauss of Glastonbury (CT), who captured the mile at the New Balance Nationals last month, become the first two athletes to sign an NIL deal with Marathon Sports.
“We are very excited to partner with Marshall Vernon,” said Dennis Sheppard, Scholastic Senior Manager for Marathon Sports. “He loves the sport and the community around it. Marshall will be a great ambassador for us and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes along the way.”
Marathon Sports has 25 different locations throughout New England, including the Providence Place Mall in Rhode Island.
