Jake Martinez doesn't just love running.
He lives it.
It's woven into the fabric of his DNA, it's what shaped Martinez and provided the platform for the path he's on now.
An illustrious cross country and track and field career at Palmerton led to record-breaking performances at Lehigh University, where Martinez was the 2022 Patriot League champion in the indoor distance medley relay and the school's leading athlete in the indoor distance medley relay and outdoor distance medley relay. He became the record holder. 4 x 800m relay.
“I had an incredible experience there,” Martinez said. “I would recommend it to anyone. I received an incredible education. It's a great school. There's so much to learn and the resources are incredibly rich. I know what that stands for, but it's amazing. And it's beautiful. My family has given me the perfect distance. They can always come to the convention and see me there. Sho.”
Running has always touched the heart and motivated Martinez. Martinez won his second medal at the 1600 (his eighth as a junior and his fifth as a senior) and made his third state qualifying appearance in cross country during his career at Palmerton. .
That passion led Martinez to Portland, Oregon, where he is currently enrolled in a sports product management master's program at the University of Oregon, where in addition to running semi-professionally at Bowerman Track, he has been mentored by executives at Nike and other companies. No wonder there are. Nike Club Elite Team.
chasing dreams
Martinez was initially interested in cognitive neuroscience, but decided to pursue business and started working with his father, Michael Martinez, on events such as the Lehigh Gap Nature Center 10K and Keystone Backyard. He was also passionate about his own lace production business, which he hosted. Mauch Chunk Lake Ultra.
“I gradually found my way into marketing and felt it was the best way to combine the art and science of business, tell a compelling story, and sell great products.” Martinez says.
Martinez spent the summer leading up to her junior year in Leadville, Colorado, interning in marketing at the Leadville Race Series, which includes the prestigious Leadville 100.
“My junior year was just a great sports year,” Martinez said. “We had a great group of middle-distance athletes who were firing on all cylinders with the same attitude. We had great buy-in and great coaching (Todd Etters). Indoor Championship Long Distance Winning the first title in Patriot League history in the medley relay. Bringing Army to the front and running away from Navy. The highlight of my sports experience was competing in the relay. And it just kept going. We traveled a lot in the spring, went to the University of Virginia, went to North Carolina, and traveled all over the country with some great guys and girls. We had so much fun and were going fast.
“I ran 1:56 (800 minute run) and 4:23 (1600 minute run) in high school. Under Todd, I lowered my times to 1:50 and 4:07. I never did. Even though he wasn't a Division I stallion, he was still able to compete at the regional class level and go to Big 5 meets and compete and do well. And that was really special.”
stepped in the door
In the spring of his senior year, Martinez got an opportunity to intern at Adidas in digital marketing.
“I thought, 'Oh, I'll apply and see what happens,'” Martinez recalled. “I know there were thousands of applicants, but I went through the interviews, but I just kept moving forward and was lucky enough to get selected to be a digital marketer. I thought, “Maybe I'm just getting started in this industry.”
“It's always a dream to work at a place like that, but I couldn't believe it became a reality and I was one of the chosen ones. It was just an amazing experience. I have a great boss, a great team, I learned a lot. I was always surrounded by wonderful people.
Martinez worked with Adidas at its North American headquarters in Portland.
“It was an environment that made you want to work hard,” Martinez said. “There are nice things everywhere.”
While his time at Adidas was cut short due to layoffs, Martinez was encouraged by his boss to pursue his passion by attending the University of Oregon's Sports Product Management program.
“What I learned at Adidas was that I felt like I was one step removed from the real work of the company, which is making products,” Martinez said. “I love marketing their products, but I want to be a part of their creation process and actually help them bring their products to market and create products that allow people to follow their dreams and achieve great things.” I thought, Everybody has their own goals, but creating something that helps people achieve them, just like I was able to do. I think it's really special.”
Martinez finished his Lehigh career with three consecutive PRs, setting a school record in the 4×800 meter relay and breaking a 42-year-old record.
“If I told you that if I went to Lehigh I would be the school record holder and Patriot League champion, I would have thought you were kidding,” Martinez said. “My goal was to be on the top 10 list when I graduated. I made some great friends and still have a great relationship with my coach. He is a great mentor to me now. I finished my career on a high, enjoyed my summer there, and now I'm leaving here and moving to Oregon. It was a big jump. My family and my girlfriend are all still up East.
“But I knew I had to do something that fulfilled me and gave me satisfaction. I'm a very passionate and driven person, so I didn't want to do something that didn't align with my values. I find it very difficult to get involved.”
sales success
Martinez is currently in the middle of an 18-month program in Oregon that teaches the product creation process from consumer insight to market launch. Gregg Hoffman, Nike's former chief marketing officer, currently serves as Martinez's professor.
“Maybe they'll sell me a bag of rocks with the Nike Swoosh on it,” Martinez laughed.
The first semester progresses to brand development and consumer research, followed by product development and market operations, and the final two semesters focus on bringing the product to market.
In addition to Hoffman, Martinez also had professors like Brett Kirby. Kirby is the director of the Nike Sports Research Lab.
Martinez also tests Bowerman in the Nike Sports Research Lab.
“I have people who helped me get into this industry and I have great mentors who really help me, which is really great,” Martinez said. “I'm still itching (to compete). When I ran my last race at Lehigh, I PRed in the 800, ran 1 minute 50 seconds, ran the 4×800 (relay), and I was forgotten by my coach. We had a great conversation. He asked me, “So what's next?” I said, “I’m not done yet.” If you ask me if it was a perfect race, I would say absolutely not. There's more in the tank.
“Fortunately, while working at Adidas, I met some people who worked in other organizations.”
Ready to race
Martinez’s drive and the connections he made led him to the Bowerman Track Club’s elite team.
“This team is an elite amateur development team that aims to qualify for the Olympic trials and national championships and compete at the national class level,” Martinez said. “This winter we had three boys and two girls compete in the Olympic Trials, which is pretty amazing. And we’re all unsponsored. None of us have full-time jobs. So I can go to school and train at Nike several times a week.
“I still wanted to train hard and I wanted the resources to support me. And I get to train at Nike World Headquarters three times a week. Michael in the Woods I can work out on Johnson's track. And I can do hill training on the fake hill they made on the side of the building, which is the surface of the track, and I can work out on (Eliud) Kipchoge's. I get to go to the Nike Sports Institute with Brett Kirby, who helped me break 2 hours in the marathon, and I'm like, “Oh my god.” And I will wear the Bowerman emblem on my chest, representing such an amazing tradition and accomplishment. I'm so proud to wear this and be a part of this organization. ”
Martinez was also able to try and test Nike products.
go far
This summer, Martinez will be working with Crocs in Boulder, Colorado.
“It will be a great learning experience with successful brands that have developed unique products,” said Martinez. “I'm really excited.”
But Martinez never forgets his roots or what inspired him to begin his journey.
“Don’t be afraid to take the leap,” he said. “If you have a passion for something, it would be a crime not to pursue it. I'm so lucky to have a passion for what I do: sports, and it's really special that it all comes together.
“From Palmerton to Lehigh to the University of Oregon and Bowerman Track Club, there is nothing better than designing shoes that help people achieve their dreams. I can't thank them enough for giving me the opportunity to do what I do and work in this industry.''
It was an opportunity for him, and he will continue to take advantage of it.
Jake Martinez (center) with his father Michael Martinez and mother Melissa Martinez.Provided by: Don Paul/Lehigh University
Jake Martinez (right) competed in indoor races during his career at Lehigh.Provided by: Don Paul/Lehigh University