2024 Travel for Track Season

As I embark on the exciting journey towards the 2024 Olympics, I am reaching out to you, my incredible community, for support in making my dreams a reality. My goal is nothing short of running at my absolute best, and I'm just a hair away from securing a coveted spot on the Olympic team.

Imagine, it only takes surpassing three more talented athletes and shaving off less than a second from my time to make history! I've been putting in the hard work and maintaining consistent training to ensure that I'm not just competing but excelling at the highest level.

Last year, racing frequently against top-notch competition played a pivotal role in my improvement. Each race became a stepping stone, a chance to refine my skills, and I saw remarkable progress with every stride. This year, I am determined to build on that success, but I can't do it alone.

As a newly enrolled graduate student in Sports Management at Texas A&M, life has become a balancing act. With a full course load and aspirations to graduate in just three semesters, every moment counts. Juggling full-time work, coaching responsibilities, and rigorous training leaves little room for anything else.

Your support can make a world of difference in helping me manage this demanding schedule and focus on what I do best – running towards my Olympic dreams. Your contributions will directly contribute to essential resources, coaching assistance, and participation in top-tier competitions that will elevate my performance to new heights.

Join me on this incredible journey, and let's make history together! Your support, whether big or small, will play a crucial role in turning this dream into a reality. I am immensely grateful for each one of you standing beside me as I sprint towards Paris 2024.

Thank you for being a part of my team!

Who am I?

My name is Derek Holdsworth and I need some help to achieve my lifetime dream. As many of you know, I haven’t taken the traditional path to becoming an athlete competing in Olympic and U.S. Championship track and field trials.

Since I started running in 2010, it’s been my dream to have a professional contract and compete across the world. This past year coach Mike Johnson and I made great steps toward that dream by running 1:45.37 in the 800m. This time placed me 6th overall in the US and 67th in the world this past season. I got there by racing five local (local being within 4 hours away) meets before the USA Championships; this was all I could afford to do with the cost of living + travel. I only lost one race throughout this time - it took the Canadian national Record holder to beat me.

Obtaining a pro contract is a rare opportunity for anyone in track and field. Of the 800 specifically, out of the 32 athletes who competed in the 800 at the USA Championships in 2022, 18 were sponsored. This means the other 14 athletes had to pay out of pocket for travel, lodging and food expenses. Going into this meet, I was ranked top three in the 800 in the country; I spent close to $1000 just on lodging and traveling alone. It is hard to compete when you have a finical burden hanging around your neck; this is why having a contract makes racing easier.

Throughout the past year, I have worked as many as 45 hours a week. When I’m not at work, I’m writing detailed workouts or having one-on-ones with my athletes and coaches at Growing Runners Track Club. I’ve budgeted, skipped meals, and done odd jobs just to make some money to pay bills; I was even recently denied EBT benefits because I work too much. I can't afford to travel to race if I’m spending all my money on bills and groceries, especially without a contract or at least a travel deal.

My story:

After a successful high school track career at Lafayette High School in Williamsburg, Virginia, for family and financial reasons, I went to DC and worked for two years rather than go directly to college. During this time, I ran for the District Track Club (now known as Baltimore 800, a group sponsored by Under Armour). I grew as a runner during this time and made great connections. I don’t regret that decision since I could grow personally and professionally, but it put me outside the standard collegiate pipeline of my peer competitors. Fortunately, after a few years in DC, I was able to piece together a collegiate running career while working during my studies at Trinidad State and then meeting my current coach (Mike Johnson) at Western Oregon. Again, it was a challenge, but I worked hard and finished my psychology degree in Monmouth last June in the middle of the pandemic. I am the first person in my family to ever receive a college degree!

Since then, I’ve been working in Salem and recently moved to Seattle to work for the legendary Super Jock n' Jill in Seattle. Here I can craft a schedule that gives me the space to train for international competitions. Unfortunately, the resources required to compete for an Olympic run are more than I can put together in the current situation. That’s why I’m here asking for help. I thrive on making things happen despite obstacles, but the current financial hurdles require significant assistance from others.

Why is traveling for races important?

Racing the best competition brings out the “best in you” 9 out of 10 times. The faster my competition was in the 2022 season, the better I did. Racing more also keeps an athlete like me sharp. I need to prove to a brand that I’m worth their investment. If I run five regular season meets a year, especially as an 800m runner, that’s just not enough. There’s no exposure or story to tell in only five races. I’m not the type to ask for help; I hate not being able to figure things out on my own. Unfortunately, this uphill battle is one I can’t do by myself.

Breakdown of what I need:

1-Flight money, this can be expensive depending on when and where I’m traveling. Most flights are anywhere from 250-500 but can be even more depending on airline demand.

***If I do things right indoors, I plan to take one flight back to the east coast and hit all the races I can before returning to the west coast. Of course, the downside would be increased lodging costs if I were in a city without a place to stay.

2-Hotel money:

$75-120 per night

3-Uber / Car Rental money

$300-500. This is the least of my worries, but I want to be transparent. I can always take public transit to meets or even walk if I stay close enough!

My goals:

Run fast (1:43 or better if possible)

Compete in Europe next summer

Win a U.S Championship

Qualify for the Olympics

Make loved ones and supporters proud

Give back to those who helped me

What do you get for supporting me?

First and foremost, the pride in knowing you are helping me realize my dream. I hope this is your primary motivation. But beyond that, I want to give back to you so please let me know what works best for you. Give me some ideas!