Fixing a Broken Pro Running System: Colleen Quigley on Athlete-Led Teams, Female Coaching, and Redefining Sponsorship

Colleen is building a new pro running team centered around values, empathy, and autonomy. After years in brand-owned teams with rigid systems and poor leadership, she’s flipping the script by starting an athlete-driven group coached by Juli Benson, a coach known for her supportive approach and elite-level experience.

“We just need to figure out a different way to do this. The system is broken. It’s not serving athletes. It’s not serving coaches. So I thought, okay, there must be a different way.”

Rather than locking athletes into one brand and a rigid structure, this new team offers flexibility to pursue individual sponsorships and maintain creative and financial control.

Reimagining Sponsorship and Autonomy

One of Colleen’s most radical shifts? Her team won’t be tied to a single shoe or apparel brand. That opens the door for athletes to choose their own sponsorships—sunglasses, watches, nutrition, or footwear—without being restricted by team contracts.

“Get your bag. Make as much money as you can. Shine, sign whatever deal pays you the most or feels right to you. That should be separate from who you choose to train with.”

It’s an approach that removes conflict between performance and branding, putting athletes' well-being and careers back in their own hands.

Why Female Leadership Matters

After an exhaustive (and disappointing) search for a team with a female coach, Colleen found her answer in Juli Benson. Not only did Juli have a stellar reputation, but she also shared Colleen’s vision for a holistic, empowering team model.

“We just don’t have anywhere that feels remotely women-led. A woman is the assistant coach just to check the box. That’s not enough.”

Together, Colleen and Juli are building a culture where mental, emotional, and social well-being matter just as much as race results.

Holistic Athlete Support

This episode dives deep into what athletes actually need to thrive: community, leadership, structure, and care that extends beyond performance metrics. Colleen shares how this team is modeling a new standard that goes beyond traditional coaching.

“We want to be seen as human beings, first and foremost. Not just a robot showing up to perform.”

For athletes who’ve struggled to find a place that fits, Colleen is creating that space herself.

What You’ll Learn Listening to This Episode:

• How Colleen Quigley is restructuring what a pro team can look like

• Why most running teams are flawed—and what needs to change

• The role of non-endemic sponsors in athlete freedom

• The power of women-led coaching and leadership

• What it means to be seen and supported as a whole human

You’re not going to want to miss this awesome episode. Find all the listening links below 👇

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About Jon Levitt and For The Long Run

Jon is a runner, cyclist, and podcast host from Boston, MA, who now lives in Boulder, CO. For The Long Run is aimed at exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated.

Follow Jon on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.