ARTICLES

  • Citius Mag - Interview: Nell Rojas Ready For Her First New York City Marathon

    November 2, 2022

    The greatest road race in the world, the New York City Marathon is on Sunday, and the women’s field is absolutely stellar. For a full preview of all the action, stay tuned and subscribe to the CITIUS MAG newsletter. But one of the athletes I am most interested in following is Nell Rojas, whose career story and trajectory are nothing short of inspiring. After finishing sixth at the 2021 Boston Marathon, Rojas followed it up with a new personal best of 2:25:57 at the 2022 edition. I caught up with her ahead of this weekend’s race.

    By Kyle Merber

  • CNBC - The mindset that helped a marathoner become one of the country’s best in just 4 years: ‘Working harder isn’t necessarily better’

    July 30, 2022

    Sometimes, it takes a while to figure out what you’re best at doing. Nell Rojas, one of the top marathoners in the U.S., knows that feeling well: The 34-year-old didn’t start racing marathons until four years ago.

    A successful steeplechase runner in college, Rojas spent most of her 20s working as a running coach in Boulder, Colorado, where she was born and raised. She competed in triathlons, and says she started running marathons at the suggestion of her father and coach, former top-ranked distance runner Rick Rojas. “Go out and jog,” she recalls him saying in 2018. “See if you like it.”

    By Mike Winters

  • Denver Post - Boulder’s Nell Rojas top American at Boston Marathon again

    April 18, 2022

    Nell Rojas stepped up to the stage inside the Fairmont Copley Plaza to join her fellow top Americans from Monday’s Boston Marathon, and let out a sigh of relief.

    Another 26.2-mile journey was complete, but she was even more satisfied to know that she belonged up on that stage.

    Six months after being the top American in October’s marathon — when she finished sixth overall — the Boulder native returned to Boston and finished as the top American again on Monday, crossing the line on Boylston Street 10th overall with a personal best to boot, an impressive 2 hours, 25 minutes and 57 seconds.

    By Stephen Hewitt

PODCASTS

  • Hurdle Podcast - Episode 254: Nell Rojas, Runner

    June 7, 2023

    Nell Rojas has some big goals. Goals that she's committed to, and over the last few years she's learned exactly what that commitment entails. The Boulder native is at a place in her life where she's accepted the opportunity costs (like prioritizing sleep and turning down social events) to excel in her sport — and it's working. The former triathlete is a sub 2:30 marathoner (that's faster than a 5:40 pace over 26.2 miles), coached by her father who was one of the first athletes to run for Nike, won the very first BolderBoulder, and held the world record for the 15K. For episode 254, she talks about how that impacts their relationship, how owning her own coaching business makes her proud (and the lessons entrepreneurship has taught her), and what she's looking forward to next.

    Podcast Host: Emily Abbate

  • Road to the Trials Podcast - Episode 19: Nell Rojas: Boston Marathon Recap

    April 24, 2023

    At last week's Boston Marathon, Nell Rojas went up against some of the world's best after a less-than-ideal build and did her thing. Nell ran a 2:24:51, a personal best, which was good for 14th overall and 3rd American. Two weeks before Boston, Nell finished 3rd at Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (USATF Championship). In this episode we detail the training that led to these performances as well as the race tactics and details that defined them. Nell displays her trademark candor and good humor in describing all of it!

    Podcast Host: Matt Chittim

  • CTolleRun Podcast - Nell Rojas: Stick With It

    April 20, 2023

    Carrie chats with Nell Rojas in front of a live audience prior to the 2023 Boston Marathon! They talk about preparing for the race, her strategy, how she adjusts her plans in the middle of a race, her Broadway aspirations, training over in Kenya, training her mind, and so much more!

    Podcast Host: Carrie Tollefson