Josh Hoey, a Downingtown native and Bishop Shanahan High School graduate, is one of a growing number of runners skipping college to become professional athletes, writes Jonathan Gault for LetsRun.com.

Hoey, who was bound for the University of Oregon before deciding to go pro last August, signed a contract with Adidas and trains with a group of Olympians and aspiring Olympians in San Diego. The shoe company has proved more willing than any of its competitors to bet big on young talent.

Hoey, whose contract made him one of the youngest professional runners in the country, participated in the Adidas Boost Boston Games earlier this month.

While the decision was not an easy one to make, the tradeoff has been worth it. He has since been competing against some of the best distance runners in the nation, while dedicating himself to his craft full-time.

Read more about Josh Hoey at LetsRun.com here.

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