For the last decade, FloTrack has traveled the planet covering our sport, and seen up close what a struggle it can be to compete at the highest level. Unlike in much of the rest of the world, it's tough for American runners to find a coach that can devote enough time. Most professional coaches here either really work as college coaches or are sponsored by a single shoe company. To support the great work our pro coaches do, we're announcing the FloTrack American Distance Coach of the Year, presented by T-Mobile. Later this year, one coach will win $10,000 for his or her work with American distance runners in 2016. 

T-Mobile CEO John Legere was thrilled to jump on board as a superfan and longtime serious supporter of American distance running.

The goal of the award is to give a great coach additional resources to support their athletes in 2017, which could include paying for travel to meets abroad, fancy training equipment, or expensive medical care. This year's award is focused on distance running, but the scope of the award could expand in future years.

In that vein, selecting the winner won't be as simple as tallying medals and records, though medals and records obviously go a long way. This is for rewarding excellence in coaching American distance runners. And that could mean taking a brilliantly talented runner to the pinnacle of the sport or a less-pedigreed one to a previously unimaginable level. The coach of the team with the best record doesn't always win Coach of the Year in the NBA or the NFL.

Once the nominees are announced, you'll have a say in the winner. We'll announce the exact voting process with the nominees, but the winner will be decided by some combination of the votes of fans, experts, and FloTrack staff.