"This seems like a no-brainer. There's this company that really values what we're doing, and they don't really want to change that. All they want to do is find a way to support us."

Professional middle-distance runner Sinclaire Johnson returns to the Ali on the Run Show today — this time as a HOKA-sponsored athlete. Sinclaire is the American record holder in the mile on the track and on the roads, both of which she set last year, in addition to making two 2025 world teams and running multiple personal bests. After spending her entire career thus far as a Nike athlete, Sinclaire is excited about big changes ahead with HOKA. In this conversation, she talks about why she made the sponsor switch now, and what that means for her home base, her coaching (she's coached by fiancé Craig Nowak; listen to their Love on the Run episode here), and her next steps. Sinclaire will kick off her indoor season — in her new racing kit! — this weekend at New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.

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In this episode:

What's making Sinclaire happy today (2:20)
What Sinclaire's watching right now (6:00)
An update on wedding planning (7:35)
Why Sinclaire decided to sign with HOKA this year after a long career as a Nike-sponsored athlete (13:05)
Recapping Sinclaire's year of big changes and reflecting on her coaching change in 2025, from Union Athletics Club's Pete Julian to fiancé Craig Nowak (28:30)
Sinclaire's "big training risks" from 2025 (34:40)
Sinclaire's "failures" from 2025 (35:50)
Sinclaire's biggest successes in 2025 (40:05)
How 2025 was a year of growth for Sinclaire (52:15)
How Sinclaire is feeling heading into her indoor season opener at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, where she'll be racing the mile (55:00)
Sinclaire's hopes, dreams, and plans for 2026 (59:00)

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860. Sinclaire Johnson, HOKA Athlete