AMAM: Your transition from college to pro this summer happened after three accomplished years at Florida. Then the Paris Olympics and now a deal with New Balance. Why this direction with this brand?
PARKER VALBY: I wanted to be part of a family and New Balance is huge on the family aspect.
AMAM: Some published reports mentioned how involved your father [Kyle Valby] was in the contract negotiation process.
VALBY: Yes, I guess the rumors that you heard were true. My father is my agent, so yes, he was very involved in the negotiation process, and yeah, he did a very good job. Super proud of him.
AMAM: When it came to the decision time to pick from brand to brand, was it a tough choice? Or did you know, based on what the pitch was, that this is the direction I wanna go in?
VALBY: When they say you know, you know. I knew when I talked to New Balance — and yeah, it was a big decision.
AMAM: You’re moving to Boston and what does that transition feel like?
VALBY: You know, it’s definitely a big change from the hot weather to the cold weather. But it’s actually gorgeous right now with the fall leaves and everything changing. We definitely don’t get that in Florida, so I definitely miss that. I grew up in the Northeast, actually, in Connecticut, so back to my roots. But I’m super excited and I am so happy in Boston and excited to see what’s to come.
AMAM: Let’s talk about Paris. How was it? We know everyone’s talked about how great that experience was at the Olympics.
VALBY: It was definitely an awesome experience I’m super grateful for. It definitely wasn’t my ideal scenario, not how I envisioned my first Olympics going, but I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. And it was a very good first experience for the Olympics to prepare me for 2028, so I know what’s to come. And I can keep training and working hard for that.
AMAM: It’s been a busy year on and off the track and road. But also a busy year for new things in running like Athlos and what’s coming with Grand Slam track. Are you think about participating in any of the new additions to the sport?
VALBY: You know, the sky’s the limit. I’m looking forward to kicking off my pro career, training with my new team, having fun and seeing where that takes me.
AMAM: How do you feel about your new teammates?
VALBY: Oh my gosh, so much fun. I love them all so much. And like I said, it’s like we’re a family. They’re great training partners and we all bring out the best in each other.
AMAM: You mentioned your dad’s your agent. How involved will he be kind of going forward?
VALBY: [My parents] live in Clearwater, Florida on the beach, so they’re gonna stay there.
AMAM: What will be on our feet once training kicks off in Boston?
VALBY: My go-to trainer is the 880s, the best trainer out there, in my humble opinion. I cross-train them, I run in them, go for walks in them. Versatile shoe, very versatile. And then for my faster runs, although I’m only like two or three weeks into workouts at this point — but for my faster workouts, I use the SuperComp Elite V4s.
AMAM: There are a lot of of eyes on you, especially younger generation. Do you think you’d on day take on the task of being a role model?
VALBY: I’m super grateful and humbled to be in this position. I never really thought that I would be in this position, so it’s still fairly new to me, but I try to be the best role model that I can be to inspire the next generation of runners. And hope that I can create the next Parker Valbys.
AMAM: Any meets that you’re targeting for 2025?
VALBY: Not yet, but obviously the major focus will be Worlds and Tokyo. So, work our way up to that.
