ARTICLES
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Voyage Denver - Meet Nell Rojas of Rojas Athletics
January 9, 2025
I grew up in Boulder, my dad ran for Nike and won the first BolderBoulder. I was always very proud of him as the BB is like the olympics in boulder. I ran at NAU, graduated and became a professional triathlete, retired in my mid 20’s to make money, ended up running a marathon in 2018 as part of getting back into triathlons, Ironman’s specifically. Ran the olympic A standard that marathon at 2:31, and from there on out I was able to run for Adidas and then Nike. I won the Bolder Boulder in 2019. I have built my run coaching business alongside training and have a group in Boulder and coach remotely as well, everyone from beginners to sub elite runners. I advocate for strength and people of color.
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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
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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
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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
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Training Peaks CoachCast - Season 7, Episode 1: Achieving Marathon Success with Pro Runner and Coach Nell Rojas
January 14, 2025
Professional runner and running coach Nell Rojas shares her insights into racing and coaching athletes for marathons, including the Boston Marathon, using a balance of art and science. Nell Rojas is a professional marathon runner and running coach. She attended Northern Arizona University, where she studied exercise science and competed in cross country and track. Nell ran her first marathon in 2018 and became the top American finisher in the Boston Marathon in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, she finished 10th at the 2022 New York City Marathon. Nell has achieved remarkable success as an American marathon runner, securing top American finishes at the 2021 and 2022 Boston Marathons, a top 10 finish at the 2022 New York City Marathon, and competing in the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. She has also claimed a 10-mile US Championship title and won Grandma's Marathon. Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Nell advocates for inclusivity within the running community, focusing on empowering people of color and women. With 20 years of coaching experience, she is dedicated to helping athletes of all abilities achieve their own running goals.
Podcast Host: Dirk Friel
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Ali on the Run Podcast - Episode 777: Nell Rojas, on Life Lately
January 9, 2025
It's been a hard year and a half for Nell Rojas. The Nike-sponsored professional athlete had a speedy ascent in the world of marathoning. She won the 2019 Grandma's Marathon, and was the top American woman at the 2021 and 2022 Boston Marathons. In this conversation, Nell explains what's been going on with her mind and body recently. She talks about where her fitness is at these days, and about her spring marathon plans. (This just in: Nell will, in fact, be racing this year's Boston Marathon.) Plus: Nell's takeaways from the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, her foray into voice lessons, and her story about "the most nervous she's ever been." Nell — a running coach herself, with more than 50 athletes on her current roster — lives in Boulder, CO, where she is coached by her father, Ric Rojas.
Podcast Host: Ali Feller
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Gravity Podcast - Episode 152: NIKE Marathon Runner - Nell Rojas
November 13, 2024
This week, Team NIKE marathon runner Nell Rojas joins Chris on the podcast. Nell has been running most of her life. She turned professional in 2010. Since then, she has placed in the top ten at events such as the New York Marathon, Boston Marathon, and the Olympic Trials. In this episode, Nell and Chris discuss the countless parallels between distance running and the difficulties of life.
Podcast Host: Chris Pan
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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
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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
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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