Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier Brandon Birdsong a Late Entry to World Championships of Elliptical Cycling
Brandon Birdsong could shake up the World Championships of Elliptical Cycling as a late entry to the elite field. A top HS cross-country and track athlete, Birdsong would go on to compete at both the University of Texas – where he was a teammate of other top competitor and ElliptiGO marketing manager, Darren Brown – and Adams State University. At Adams State, Birdsong earned multiple honors both on and off the track, including:
- 2-time NCAA All-American
- 2010: Led Adams State to 3rd consecutive national cross country title
- 2011: 6th place in 5000 meters @ NCAA DII indoor nationals
- National qualifier indoors, outdoors and cross country
- Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference indoor 5000 meter champion
- Capitol One Academic All-American
- Academic All-Conference 2008-2011
From there, Birdsong continued to compete with his eyes set on earning national and international honors. In his first half marathon in 2014, Birdsong qualified for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials, running 1:04:21 for the 13.1-mile distance. Some of his other post-collegiate accomplishments and personal best times include:
- 2015: 1st place at USATF Colorado 10k Championships
- 2015: Breck Crest Half Marathon Champion and Course Record
- 2013: 1st place at Colorado Club Cross Country Championships
- Personal Bests
- Half Marathon 1:04:21
- 10 mile 48:17
- 15K 45:03
- 10K road 29:54
- 5 mile 23:40
- 5K indoors 14:09
Birdsong on why he has taken an interest in the ElliptiGO World Championships this year:
“I took up cycling as a cross-training method to stay active after tearing/flattening my peroneal tendon. Cycling has been a good substitute to push my body and channel mental energy, while saving my sanity. Most of my focus has been on climbing because it is more aerobic and it comes much more natural. The ElliptiGO World Championships, being uphill, sounds like an opportunity to test myself and the training that I have been doing on the road bike, and more recently, on the ElliptiGO bike. My teammate, Shadrack Biwott, trains on one regularly and urged me to try it. I had a blast! I am excited to put myself in a competitive environment that will be conducive to a fun atmosphere, regardless of the outcome.”
