Gwen Jorgensen to be part of NYC marathon festivities

The top ranked triathlete in the world, US Olympian Gwen Jorgensen, will race the NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5 km on Saturday, kicking off the New York City Marathon weekend.

Saturday also marks the application deadline for the inaugural Gwen Jorgensen Scholarship. The New York Athletic Club has also contributed $5,000, bringing the scholarship total to $20,000 in its first year. The NYAC funds will be earmarked for an applicant living in the Tri-State area.

“With the goal of promoting excellence at an early age, I am excited to launch the Gwen Jorgensen Scholarship this year,” Jorgensen said earlier in October. “The triathlon community has supported me and instilled values of excellence since I was introduced to the sport in 2010. I want to do the same and give back to the next generation of potential triathlon stars.  I especially appreciate ROKA and the USA Triathlon Foundation for their commitment to match my contribution.”

“We are honored to be partnering with Gwen to establish this important scholarship, and to support our junior draft-legal triathletes as they pursue their Olympic dreams and quest to bring home the gold,” said Jacqueline McCook, President of the USA Triathlon Foundation. “Gwen’s example and initiative tie directly with the Foundation’s mission of ‘Opening Pathways to Triathlon for All through the Generosity of Donors.’ We are thrilled to support this initiative.”

Details on how to apply for the scholarship are available here (PDF). Applications must be submitted to gwenjorgensenscholarship@gmail.com by Nov. 1, and the scholarship will be awarded on Dec. 1.