TFS FOUNDER ADAM JACOBS DIES UNEXPECTEDLY
By David Monti
(c) 2009 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - used with permission

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 Jewis 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.

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.

ENDS