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TFS Founder Adam Jacobs Dies Unexpectedly

Posted May 23rd, 2009 at 7:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

Adam Jacobs, the founder and editor of TheFinalSprint.com and an enthusiastic supporter of American distance running, died unexpectedly last night. He was 24 and lived in Jersey City, N.J.

The death was confirmed by his mother, Jodi Jacobs, who called the Race Results Weekly office this morning to report her son’s death.

Jacobs founded TheFinalSprint.com while a first year law student to provide both coverage of elite distance running and to build ties in the running community for athletes of all abilities. A natural salesman, Jacobs quickly found sponsors for the site and built up the site’s editorial content with a special focus on podcasts and elite athlete blogs. Sara Hall, Ryan Hall, Nick Symmonds, and Jon Rankin were amongst the athletes who blogged on TheFinalSprint.com.

Like other information websites, TheFinalSprint.com was hit by the recent downturn in advertising and sponsorship revenue, especially from the auto industry. Over the last several months the site had fewer updates than normal.

A funeral service for Adam will be held tomorrow in Manalapan, N.J., at the Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapel, 44 Wilson Avenue; 732-446-4242. The service will begin at 2:00 p.m., but mourners are encouraged to come at 1:00 p.m. to gather in advance. Update: Please do not arrive prior to 1:30 p.m., as there is a prior funeral.

Condolences and remembrances can be sent to Jodi L. Jacobs, 22 Longbow Drive, Englishtown, NJ 07726. Mrs. Jacobs encouraged mourners to make a donation in Adam’s name to their favorite running organization.

by David Monti

Glorybelle said:

I am so very sorry to hear this news. RIP, Adam. Godspeed.
May 23rd, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Billy Burger said:

Oh my god - how incredibly sad!

I used to listen to Adam’s podcast many times and am blown away by this news.

Rest in peace buddy. Heart breaks for your family…too soon.
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
jon said:

Adam will be missed. Loved his passion for the sport. Best podcasts in running
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:12 pm
guest said:

what happened???
May 24th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Pete Rea said:

Adam was a passionate and thoughtful young man who I was fortunate enough to meet through 2 podcasts in the last year. He will truly be missed.

pete rea - ZAP Fitness
May 24th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
smarterblonde said:

I am so sorry about your loss. Adam will be missed.
May 24th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
rungood03 said:

Adam was a good guy. I worked with him at the Running Film Festival. Here is a link to a previously unpublished video he commissioned me to make of him interviewing a Nike rep about the Olympic Uniforms:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9185094740384091524&q=source%3A014113791003427586134&hl=en
May 25th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Katie Drummond said:

I worked for Adam, as the editor-in-chief of Her Active Life and a writer for The Final Sprint, for two years.

He was so full of life, enthusiastic and supportive of me as I came into my own as a journalist and an editor. Adam wrote me a glowing reference letter that led to my acceptance at a Master’s program here in New York.

I’m just shocked. And so sorry for the loss of this wonderful man.
May 25th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Eric said:

I’m dedicating my run today to him and my heart goes out to all his family and friends.

He will be greatly missed.
May 26th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Thelo Aiken said:

I’m still in shock at hearing this news. I spoke with Adam just a few weeks ago. I always enjoyed and admired his drive, enthusiasm, passion and sense of humor. We have worked together for over two years and unfortunately never met.

This is a tragic loss, he was so young and just getting started. A terrible loss for the community he built and supported and all the people he has touched over the years.

My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.

You will be missed Adam!
May 26th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Paul Petersen said:

I’m both shocked and greatly saddened by this news. Adam had an energy and passion that was unmatched. I had to opportunity to write for The Final Sprint for over a year, and always really enjoyed our conversations. I admired him not just for what he did with this website, but also for his integrity and professionalism. He will certainly be missed by many, as I know he was involved in the lives of many. Condolences to family and friends.
May 27th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Craig Virgin said:

I met Adam at the running film festival at the U.S. Olympic T & F Trials in Eugene last summer and was duly impressed. I am twice his age and I am not much of an internet running site surfer…but I appreciated what he has done to promote the sport we both loved. His enthusiasm and passion was obvious. Thanks for all you did, Adam,…for all of us!
May 27th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
keepmeguessing said:

Sympathy for the family of the deceased, though I nevery heard his name before. I am guessing he killed himself? Why is everybody so tight-lipped about what happened?
May 28th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
emmy stocker said:

Jodi –I am so sorry for your unexpected loss of Adam. I first talked to him on the phone a few years ago when he was looking for writers. He was bright, cheerful, and ambitious. He had a great vision for the Final Sprint. I wrote a book review on Pam Reed (the ultramarathoner)’s recent book, which he published. He couldn’t afford to pay me at the time, but was going to try and get sponsors. Otherwise I would have done some more pieces for him. He was a wonderful young man and I am ver sorry that he is no longer here…
May 28th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Steve Runner said:

The Run Net Community mourns the loss of Adam Jacobs. He was a visionary with new media, and passionate about the promotion of our sport. I will miss his words and voice and the way he sought to shine the light on the elite runners of the world.
May 29th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Jimmie R. Markham said:

I just uploaded a photo of Adam taken by Ken Stone ( of MastersTrack.com) at the USATF convention in Reno last December. It is a familiar pose for Adam, talking on his cell phone to someone in the running community, trying to get the scoop on another story for The Final Sprint. He was a dear friend to many of us and he will be missed.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Joan said:

To the one who “never heard his name”, what moves you to leave such a hurtful response. If you knew Adam, you would be distraught at his passing and not concerned about the particulars. Thankfully, there aren’t many people like you out there.

Adam will be missed. He was kind, witty, sincere and intelligent and lovely! He made each person’s life he touched better and fuller. He will always remain a blessed memory.
May 29th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Art Rosen said:

Though I have known his parents since my teens, wrote a few columns for TFS during its early stages, it is my daughter Allyson who was friends with him. She introduced me to him at the Boston Marathon two years ago which she was running in and he was covering. Over a pleasant dinner I realized that Adam was a witty young man, sharp, clever, always smiling. May G-d look over you Adam and may your family be better for having been a part of their lives for 24 years.
May 30th, 2009 at 6:19 pm