En route to winning the USATF 25K title this morning, Dathan Ritzenhein wore a kit we've never seen him in before:

.@djritzenhein in an @ASICSamerica singlet with "Gazelle Elite" on the front... #53RBR #USARC https://t.co/LI98K3rAcP

— David Monti (@d9monti) May 13, 2017

That's an Asics top with Nike shoes. Ritzenhein had been with Nike since turning professional way back in 2004, but agent Dan Lilot confirmed in a message that Ritzenhein was currently unsponsored with "some strong possibilities developing."

It appears in this press conference video from yesterday that Ritzenhein is wearing Hoka One One shoes, though again, he raced in Nikes today. Ritzenhein is self-coached and lives in Michigan.

Ritzenhein is one of the most successful American distance runners of the 2000s. His 12:56 in 2009 was an American 5K record and a watershed moment for American distance running. But Nike is not known for its sentimental attachment to athletes. The shoe company did not renew a deal with Leo Manzano after his Olympic silver medal or retain Meb Keflezighi for the last several years, and Ritzenhein has raced sparingly the last two years, culminating in a DNF at the New York City Marathon in November.

Ritz still might have something left in the tank, though. Two months before dropping out of NYC, he ran a 60:12 half marathon at the Great North Run, finishing just eight seconds behind his now-former Nike Oregon Project teammate Mo Farah.