DePauw University

Fruth earned two all-America honors at the 2002 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships as he finished fifth in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs. He was a three-time Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference champion in the 1,500 meters (2000, 2001, 2002) and twice won the 5,000 meters (2000, 2002) while finishing second in 2001. Fruth was the 2000 and 2001 SCAC men’s cross country individual champion and was ninth in 1999. He earned a spot as an individual in the 2000 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships and with the team in 2001. Fruth graduated with four program indoor records in the 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 meters and as a member of the distance medley relay. His three outdoor records came in the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 meters. During that time, the Tigers captured two team conference championships in cross country and three in track and field. He was named to the SCAC’s 15th anniversary team.

Fruth majored in English (writing) and, following graduation, remained with the Tigers as a graduate assistant coach while pursuing a Master of Arts in English at Indiana State. He moved to Ohio and opened the Columbus Running Company (CRC) with former DePauw cross country co-captain Matt DeLeon ’02. Through CRC, he’s coached thousands of runners in their kids running club, high school cross country summer camps, beginner 5k programs and adult marathon training programs. CRC athletes have competed at the past five consecutive Olympic Trials, and he traveled the world with shoe brands from Seattle to Amsterdam to Venice. In 2014, CRC was named the Best Running Store in America by the Running Industry Association. Fruth and his wife, Liz Trapp, are parents to Benny and Clara and live in Westerville, Ohio.