Jarrod Shoemaker
Jarrod Shoemaker won the 2009 ITU Duathlon World Championships in Concord, N.C. in a come-from-behind photo finish. He qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team by finishing as the top American (11th place) at the 2007 ITU Beijing World Cup. He placed 18th at the Beijing Olympics.
USAT National Team Member
2009 ITU Duathlon World Champion
2009 Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series Hamburg Champion
2008 Olympic Team Qualifier
2006 Haul to the Great Wall Series Champion
2005 ITU U23 World Champion
2004 USAT U23 National Champion
Full Name: Jarrod Shoemaker
Hometown: Sudbury, Mass.
Resides: Maynard, Mass.
College: Dartmouth College
Height: 5-10
Weight: 145
Birthdate: 7/17/82
Birth Place: Concord, Mass.
Years Elite: 5
Final 2009 ITU Rank: 10
Final 2007 ITU Rank: 37
Final 2007 USAT Rank: 3
Visit Jarrod Shoemaker's Website
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Competitor Radio Interview: Jarrod Shoemaker
Find out More about Jarrod Shoemaker in this Extensive Profile and Q&A
Personal: Jarrod Shoemaker… Born July 17, 1982… Parents are Mae and Rob…Sister Jenna is a professional triathlete as well… siblings Martha and Jake… four year beach lifeguard in Harvey Cedars, N.J… 2003 National Lifeguard Beach Run Champion… Married to Canadian elite triathlete Alicia Kaye
Elite Triathlon Career: Qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team by finishing as the top American (11th overall) at the 2007 ITU Beijing World Cup… Finished sixth at the Pan Americans Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2007… First place at the 2007 ITU Drummondville Pan American Cup… Finished eighth at the Hy-Vee Triathlon ITU Des Moines World Cup in i2007… 2006 USAT Haul to the Great Wall Series Champion... Earned first world cup podium finish with second at Edmonton in 2006... 2005 ITU Under 23 World Champion… 2005 ITU New York City Continental Cup winner… 2005 Tiszajvarous ITU World Cup 7th place… 2004 Under 23 National Champion
Amateur Triathlon Career: NONE
Athletic Background: Four-year career in track and cross country at Dartmouth College…12th place 5km 2004 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships… 2002 Heptagonal Cross Country Champion… 2004 IC4A 3km Champion… Finished 22nd at Foot Locker High School Cross Country Nationals.
Jarrod Shoemaker on the Fast Track 2008 Olympic Team member Jarrod Shoemaker doesn’t waste any time. He raced in his first triathlon in 2003, and with only four races under his belt, entered the pro ranks, finding quick success as the Under-23 World Champion in 2005- less than two years into his triathlon career. He qualified for USA Triathlon’s National Elite Team in 2006 and became the 2006 Haul to the Great Wall Series Champion the same year. Jarrod’s most impressive rise to the top was his performance at the Beijing World Cup in September where he overcame the odds, beating former Olympians Hunter Kemper and Andy Potts to qualify for the first spot on the U.S Olympic Team. Jarrod talks to USAT about his fast track for success and plans for the next year leading up to the Olympic Games…
by Alison Hankins (DeWall)
I turned pro in June of 2004. I made the decision after doing only four races (two of which were USAT Under-23 draft legal races). I knew my biggest limiter would be my biking, but I wanted to throw myself into the pro ranks and learn on the job.
What was the most intimidating thing about your first pro race?
It was only the second time I had ever swam 1500m in my life (with the first being at the NYC triathlon downstream in the Hudson). I really had no clue what I was getting myself into at that point. I also crashed in that race, so it was a great learning experience.
What surprised you most about racing pro?
I was most amazed (and still am) by how fast people are swimming. To be a great pro you have to be an extremely fast swimmer and for me that is the thing that I work the hardest on.
How did it feel to cross finish line in Beijing knowing that you qualified for the US Olympic Team?
I was excited and amazed. I knew that I had a shot, but never believed that I could get it done in Beijing in our first qualifier.
How has life changed since making the team?
Nothing significantly has changed other than being introduced as 2008 Olympian Jarrod Shoemaker. I am enjoying doing lots of interviews.
How will you prepare for the Olympics?
Over the next year am going to be working hard to balance myself out. I need to keep working hard on progressing my swim which has been my biggest limiter. I also need to work on bringing my run back up to the level ithas been over the past 2 years. I feel that this opportunity to prepare for 1 year will allow me to continue with very specific development and help me prepare to podium at the Olympics.
What has your experience been like on USAT's National Team? How did this help you?
I was on the Under-23 team in 2005 and have been on the National Team in 2006 and 2007. We have great support as a country and it shows with how many athletes we have from the US in the top 100 in the world. The hardest thing about our sport is that for each World Cup we have to travel to some other country and USAT provides us with great support and scouting for these races, allowing us to focus on training and performing at the races.
What's the biggest misperception about elites?
I think the biggest misconception is that pro triathletes cannot bike. While at some levels this is true, the way our races play out we do a lot more anaerobic biking and a lot more sprinting during our races.
What's your advice for amateur triathletes looking to turn pro someday?
The life of a pro triathlete is extremely tough. The biggest thing that I learned is that the small things make the biggest difference. I have missed bike packs and swim packs by seconds, causing me to finish 20-40th instead of 1-20th. It takes time and determination, but focusing on the little things can make the biggest difference.
What's the best thing about being an elite triathlete?
The best thing about being a pro triathlete is being able to travel around the world and represent the US. It is also great to promote fitness in our youth.
What's the hardest thing about being an elite triathlete?
The hardest thing is that we are not home for most of the year and I fly about 100,000 miles a year. We cannot just wake up and go to a local race, we have to go where all the other elite athletes are racing.
What's your triathlon goal?
My goals are to win a US Pro Championship, win a World Championship, and podium at the Olympics.
Who is your biggest inspiration/idol?
I do not really have an idol. I am a huge Boston Red Sox fan and watching the Sox is one of my favorite past times.
