Wire 89, November 3, 2000
In this edition of the Running USA wire:
1) Team USA Training Centers Announced
Copyright (c) 2000 Running USA
*********************************************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Basil Honikman, (805) 683-0408; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ryan Lamppa, (805) 696-6232; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Team USA Distance Running Announces Two Training Centers On-Line
Sites Selected at Rochester Hills, MI and Rochester, NY with More Coming
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - (November 3, 2000) - Team USA Distance Running, a
joint program of Running USA and USA Track & Field, announced today the
establishment of two Team USA Training Centers in Rochester Hills, Michigan
and Rochester, New York. The Centers--which will provide coaching, structured
group training and athlete support and promotion--are a partnership between
Running USA, USATF, Hansons Running Shop and Team BrownStone.
"We welcome our first two Team USA Training Centers and applaud the
initiative and generosity of Keith and Kevin Hanson and John Luther in
forming their training groups. Their commitment to distance running is deeply
appreciated. With several more training centers scheduled to be on-line in
2001, together, we have a chance to elevate U.S. distance running in the
minds of the public and to create an American running renaissance," stated
Basil Honikman, Team USA Distance Running coordinator.
"We are very pleased to partner with USATF and Running USA to dramatically
improve post-collegiate American distance running. The Hansons Running Shop
Olympic development program is proud to have our program recognized as a role
model for developing U.S. distance runners," said Keith and Kevin Hanson of
the Hansons Running Shop.
"It is an honor to be associated with Running USA and USATF as one of the
first Team USA Training Centers. It is gratifying to know that what we at
Team BrownStone started two years ago will be part of the Team USA structure
that will help bring U.S. distance running back to world-class levels. The
true winners in this endeavor will be the athletes who will now have a
program available to fully support their training and goals," stated John
Luther, Team BrownStone coach.
Plans for Team USA Southern California are nearing completion and this center
may open early in the New Year. Led by Bob Larsen, former UCLA head track
coach and headed by U.S. Olympian and 10,000 meter champion Meb Keflezighi,
Team USA Southern California will probably utilize the ARCO U.S. Olympic
Training Center in Chula Vista, California (near San Diego) together with
high altitude springtime training at Mammoth in the California Sierras, east
of Yosemite.
In addition, Team USA Training Centers in Seattle, Washington with Club
Northwest and USATF Vice President Bill Roe and Pocatello, Idaho under the
direction of USATF Men's LDR chair Danny Grimes are also scheduled to open in
2001.
About Funds to Support Team USA Distance Running
A fund raising program was announced at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento
last July. The program was jump-started by Allan Steinfeld, New York City
Marathon Race Director and President of the New York Road Runners Club,
pledging $20,000 or $1 for every U.S. runner in the 2000 marathon. Bill
Rodgers, four-time New York City and Boston Marathon champion, pledged $5000
from his December 2000 Jingle Bell Run and Denver Race Director and distance
running leader, Creigh Kelley promised $2000 on behalf of the BKB Ltd.
Holiday Series.
In addition, Larry Eder of Shooting Star Media, publisher of American Track &
Field will provide printing services valued at $10,000. American running
Legends, Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter also have stepped up to help raise
awareness and money for Team USA. A campaign to recruit donations from races,
sponsors and the millions of U.S. runners will be accelerated over the next
few months.
About Hansons Running Shop Team USA Michigan
The Hansons Running Shop athlete program was started in July 1999 by brothers
Keith and Kevin Hanson who serve as the coaches. The Hansons are the owners
of four running stores in the Detroit area. Keith Hanson can be reached at
(248) 616-9665.
The Athletes
James Jurcevich, 24, (6th 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000 meters, 28:39.20 PR)
Clint Verran, 25, (4th 2000 USA Half-Marathon Championships, 1:04:53)
Russ Coleman, 23, (5000m PR, 13:49)
Chad Johnson, 24, (10,000m PR, 28:36)
Steve Schell, 24, (10,000m PR, 28:38)
Richie Brinker, 24, (10,000m PR, 28:55)
Chris Wehrman, 24, (3000m steeplechase PR, 8:50.2)
Jeremy Hurley, 24, (mile PR, 4:05)
Josh Wonders, 24, (1500m PR, 3:51.5)
About Team USA Rochester
Team BrownStone was formed in 1998 by Clarke Brown and John Luther. Its
purpose is to develop athletes for national and international competition and
provide the necessary resources to support them. The training group, from
January to March, will have a camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico. BrownStone
Physical Therapy is the principal sponsor. John Luther can be reached at
(716) 232-4450, x22.
The Athletes
David Morris, 30, (former U.S. marathon record holder, 2:09:32)
Todd Reeser, 26, (2000 20K USA Champion, 1:00:00)
Mike Mykytok, 29, (1999 USA 10 Mile Champion, 1997 USA 10,000m Champion)
Steve Swift, 29, (3rd 1999 USA Marathon Championships)
Eddy Hellebuyck, 39, (2nd 1999 USA Marathon Championships, 1996 Olympian)
Jason DeJoy, 27, (5000m PR, 14:38)
About Team USA Distance Running
The development and promotion of our future distance stars is the purpose of
Team USA Distance Running. It is a joint program of Running USA (a trade
organization of road races and industry representatives) and USA Track &
Field (the governing body of the sport). The USATF Men and Women's Long
Distance Running Committee chairs and an advisory board of prominent coaches
and athletes backed up by USATF and Running USA staff will coordinate the
athletic development components of the program such as selection of training
sites, selection of qualified athletes, planning of clinics, strategies for
optimal coaching plan, etc. The funding, administration, promotions and media
components will be coordinated by Running USA staff and member
representatives.
About Running USA
Running USA, founded in March 1999, is a national trade organization of top
road races, running associations, members of the athletic industry, athlete
legends and media. Its purpose is to promote road racing and raise its
awareness among the public and corporate America. Its event members represent
over 240 races including some of the leading ones in the U.S. with several
million participants and spectators and $1.9 million in annual prize money.
For more information on Running USA and its objectives and members, go to its
website (http://www.runningusa.org) or call Steve Edwards, (727) 363-7872 or
Ryan Lamppa, (805) 696-6232.
About USA Track & Field
The national governing body for track and field, long distance running and
race walking oversees USA Championships and all USA team selections for
international competition including the Olympic Games. The United States is
the #1 track and field team in the world. Craig Masback is the USATF CEO.
USATF, a Founding Member of Running USA, can be reached at (317) 261-0500 or
at: http://www.usatf.org.
# # #
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Coordinator
USATF Road Running Information Center
5522 Camino Cerralvo, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 696-6252
http://www.runningusa.org
http://www.usaldr.org
