>From the Running USA wire
Ryan Lamppa
******************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Holly Ortlund, (803) 782-5297
Carolina 8K Opens USA Championship and USA Running Circuit Seasons
Colleen DeReuck Makes U.S. Championship Debut Against Strong Field
COLUMBIA, SC - (February 8, 2001) - The Carolina 8K, on Saturday, February
10, kicks off the 2001 USA Running Circuit as it hosts the USA Women's
Championship. With over $15,000 in prize money and a U.S. title on the line,
a competitive field led by Olympians Colleen DeReuck (a new U.S. citizen),
Annette Peters and Shelly Steely is expected. The race begins at noon and
features a flat, fast, 3-lap course on the grounds of Fort Jackson in
Columbia.
"The Carolina 8K has once again attracted a strong field of top U.S. women
and for some, it will be their final tune-up before the cross country
nationals next week. The three Olympians, DeReuck, Peters and Steely are
among the favorites to win the first place prize of $4000. In addition, nine
women who competed in Columbia last February at the U.S. Olympic Marathon
Trials will return for this year's championship race," said Ed Prytherch,
elite athlete coordinator.
The race favorite, Colleen DeReuck, 36, from Boulder, Colo. will be making
her USA Championship debut; the former South African became a U.S. citizen
last December. A world class road racer over the past decade with major wins
last year at Bay to Breakers 12K, Bix 7 and Crescent City Classic 10K, she
also holds the world record for 10 miles (51:16).
"My training is going well, and I'm excited to run my first race of the year
in the U.S. Plus as an American in a national championship, it will be even
more special. I look forward to getting out there on Saturday and mixing it
up with the girls," commented the three-time Olympian.
DeReuck will be challenged by:
1) Annette Peters, 35, (Eugene, OR), 5th 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000
(32:09.49) and Mt. SAC Relays 10,000 meter champion; 1992 Olympian 3000
meters; 1988 NCAA 5000m champion
2) Kim Pawelek, 27, (Jacksonville, FL), 2001 Walt Disney World Half-Marathon
winner and Naples Half-Marathon runner-up (2000 winner); 1999 USA marathon
champion (Twin Cities), 2nd USA Running Circuit Grand Prix and Roads Scholar
recipient
3) Susannah Beck, 32, (Eugene, OR), 4th 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials;
1998 USA 12K champion; 1996 RRCA Roads Scholar winner
4) Shelly Steely, 38, (Albuquerque, NM), 1999 USA Half-Marathon and 25K
national runner-up (Parkersburg and Old Kent); 1998 USARC Grand Prix
champion, USA 10 mile and 25K champion; 1997 3rd USARC Grand Prix; 1993
Carlsbad 5000 winner (15:36); 1992 USA 5K champion (15:30) and 1992 Olympian
3000 meters (7th in final)
Other top U.S. women expected in Columbia include:
Janice Addison (Columbia, SC), Anne Boyd Stewart (Ann Arbor, MI), Jackie
Brooks (Raleigh, NC), Katie Courtwright (Dallas, TX), Missy Foy (Durham, NC),
Kim Kauls (Forest Lake, MN), Betsy Kempter (Chapel Hill, NC), top master Mary
Knisely (Naperville, IL), Michelle LaFleur (Savannah, GA), Vicki Mitchell
(Buffalo, NY), Emily Nay (Ogden, UT), Jill Tranter (Florence KY) and Kristin
White (Fayetteville, NY)
The total prize purse equals $15,350 with $14,100 in national championship
prize money ($4000, $2500, $2000, $1500, $1000, $700, $600, $500, $400, $300
and $100 for 11-15). There also will be $200 one mile split primes (4) and a
$1000 bonus for a new American record (25:02). The masters (40+) prize money
goes three deep ($250, $150 and $50).
Verified 8K Records
U.S. 25:02 Lynn Jennings Nike Women's Race, DC 05/12/91
World 24:48 Liz McColgan (GBR) Nike Women's Race, DC 05/10/92
The Carolina 8K is the first race on the 2001 Women's USA Running Circuit
(USARC), a USA Track & Field road series. The 2001 Circuit features six
events for men and eight events for women. All USARC events are USA
Championships. The 2001 USARC, the seventh edition for the men and sixth for
the women, offers over $290,000 in prize money plus a $25,000 grand prix
purse. Per USARC race, the first ten U.S. runners earn points (15 for first,
12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1) with a final $12,500
grand prix purse ($6000, $4000 and $2500) for the top three men and women
point scorers overall.
The local NBC affiliate WIS-TV will be covering the race on tape delay.
Before the championship race, there will be a 10K Wheelchair Race, 10K Run &
Relay, 8K Walk, Youth "Final Mile" and Youth Fun Runs.
The Carolina Marathon Association (CMA) hosts its third USA Women's 8K
Championship (also 1998-99). Amy Rudolph won the first two 8K national titles
in 25:50 both years. Since 1995, CMA has hosted a USA Women's Championship
including the 1996 and 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. For more
information about CMA, visit its website at: www.carolinamarathon.org
USA 8K Champions
1988 Brenda Webb 25:32 City of Alhambra Moonlight Run, CA 10/29
1989 Leann Warren 25:15 City of Alhambra Moonlight Run, CA 10/28
1990 Elaine Van Blunk 26:04 City of Alhambra Moonlight Run, CA 10/27
1991 Lynn Jennings 25:23 City of Alhambra Moonlight Run, CA 10/26
1992 Anne Marie Letko 26:18 City of Alhambra Moonlight Run, CA 10/24
1993 Jody Hawkins 26:17 City of Alhambra Moonlight Run, CA 10/30
1995 Lynn Doering 26:39 Grand Central Classics, Vienna, WV 07/15
1998 Amy Rudolph 25:50 Carolina, Columbia, SC 02/07
1999 Amy Rudolph 25:50 Carolina, Columbia, SC 02/06
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