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Olympian Shalane Flanagan Headlines Women's Field for Central Park Challenge
Formidable field for Women's Invitational will also feature Olympic hopefuls Jen Rhines, Carrie Tollefson, Amy Rudolph and Katie McGregor

NEW YORK - (March 4, 2008) - Shalane Flanagan's Olympic campaign will take the U.S. 5000 meter and indoor 3000 meter record holder through Central Park for the first time in her professional career at the Central Park Challenge on Saturday, March 15, it was announced by New York Road Runners President and CEO Mary Wittenberg. Olympians Jen Rhines, Carrie Tollefson and Amy Rudolph and four-time USA champion Katie McGregor were also announced as leading contenders in the inaugural Women's Invitational event, part of the Central Park Challenge, which also features the USA Men's 8K Championship and the NYRR 8000 people's race.

"Shalane is a shining star on the fast track to Beijing," Wittenberg said. "However, this will be no stroll in the park for her as we have assembled a formidable field of the best distance runners from the mile to the marathon to challenge her."

Ten Olympians and 12 current and former USA champions are entered in the men's and women's races, among them previously announced U.S. mile record-holder Alan Webb, Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein and 2005 USA 8K Championship winner Jorge Torres. Two-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman has withdrawn from the race, citing a lack of fitness. Athletes will race the 8K (4.97-mile) distance, with a total prize-money purse of $70,000 on the line, including $10,000 each going to the top male and female finishers.

Flanagan, 26, of Pittsboro, NC, earned a spot on the U.S. team for the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships later this month in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a resounding victory at the USA Cross Country Championships in February. A 2004 Olympian at 5000 meters, Flanagan holds the U.S. records at the 5000 (14:44.80) and the indoor 3000 (8:33.25). She has spent most of the past two months at high altitude (6,500 feet) training in the rugged mountains of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, with two-time New York City Marathon champion German Silva.

"My preparation in Mexico has been geared toward running longer races," Flanagan said. "The 8K distance fits well in my training schedule and allows me to stay focused on my strength-oriented fitness. The altitude, weather and hospitality in Mexico have allowed us to improve on our aerobic base and lay a great foundation for the upcoming Olympic year. [Training partner] Erin [Donohue] and I are very excited to test our new altitude lungs in New York City."

McGregor, 30, of St. Louis Park, MN, qualified for her sixth consecutive IAAF World Cross Country Championships team this year by virtue of her fourth-place finish at the USA Cross Country Championships in San Diego. She made her marathon debut in 2006 at the ING New York City Marathon, finishing ninth. McGregor is expected to contend for an Olympic berth at 10,000 meters.

Flanagan and McGregor will be challenged by a trio of U.S. Olympians in Rhines, Tollefson and Rudolph. Rhines, 33, of Mammoth Lakes, CA, will represent the United States in the 3000 meters at the IAAF World Indoor Championships this weekend in Valencia, Spain. The versatile Rhines, who qualified for the 2000 Olympic Games in the 10,000 and competed at the marathon distance in 2004, is expected to focus on the 5000 meters at this summer's U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field.

Tollefson, 31, of Minneapolis, MN, was the only U.S. contender in the 1500 meters at the 2004 Olympic Games. In 2006, she won the USA Cross Country Championships in Van Cortlandt Park and was fourth in the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile. Tollefson was a standout at Villanova, winning five NCAA titles from 1997 to 1999.

Rudolph, 34, of Providence, RI, was an Olympian in 1996 and 2000 at 5000 meters. She is a six-time U.S. national champion.

Olympic hopefuls Carmen Douma-Hussar, Erin Donohue, Liliya Shobukhova and Lisa Galaviz were also announced. Douma-Hussar, 31, of Ardmore, PA, was a Canadian Olympian in 2004. In 2007, she won the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile and set the course record at the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run. Donohue, 24, of Chapel Hill, NC, was a semifinalist in the 1500 meters at the 2007 IAAF World Championships. Russia's Shobukhova, 30, is the former world record holder in the indoor 3000 meters and is currently the second fastest performer of all-time. She won a silver medal in the 3000 meters at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships. Galaviz, 28, of Gilbert, AZ, set the American record (9:28.75) in the steeplechase in 2007 at the KBC Night of Athletics in Belgium and won the 2006 USA steeplechase title.

A $10,000 bonus will be awarded to any winner who breaks the existing American 8K record of 22:04 for the men (Alberto Salazar, 1981) or 24:36 for the women (Deena Kastor, 2005).

For more information, visit: NYRR.org

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Wardian Sets USA 50K Championship Record at Caumsett State Park
Parrot U.S. women's national champion
From Nancy Hobbs, USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Running Chair

CAUMSETT STATE PARK, N.Y. - (March 2, 2008) - At Sunday's USA 50K Road Championships, 33-year-old Michael Wardian of Arlington, Va. bested Richard Holloway's 1981 national championship record of 2 hours, 55 minutes, 54 seconds by 49 seconds. His time of 2:55:05 was also a course record bettering Greg Crowther's winning time of 3:04:35 set at last year's event over the same course.

Wardian led from the gun in the hopes of setting an aggressive early pace to chase the 2002 U.S. record of 2:51:48 set by Alex Tilson at the Silicon Valley Ultra Classic. He was on record-setting pace for the first nine laps averaging just under 15 minutes per 2.63 mile loop. Race organizers were certain the course record would be broken and thought Wardian still had a chance for the record after 10 laps, but it would mean very brisk final laps and he was slowing.

"I knew I didn't have the record when I looked at my watch with one mile to go, but I hoped I'd get the championships record," said Wardian.

Watching the record-breaking attempt was Bob Sweeney, a multi-time member of the USA 100K National Team, "Even though Mike didn't get the record today, his effort was very impressive."

Jason Saitta, 30, Parker, Colo., the 2006 50K Champion (3:05:59), finished second to Wardian with a time of 3:11:15 and Adam Lint, 24, Patton, Pa., rounded out the top three in 3:14:48.

Dana Parrot, 38, Tampa, Fla., led the women's race from the start and finished in 3:50:44. National runner-up was Jodi Kartes Heino, 37, East Quogue, N.Y. in 4:21:39, followed by Emmy Stocker, 49, Cos Cob, Conn. with a time of 4:26:08.

In spite of the brisk temperatures - the mercury never rose much above 40 and with the wind chill, it felt even colder for much of the day - some quality performances were posted.

"It was great to see 17 men go under 4 hours today," said Roy Pirrung, USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Vice Chairperson who also raced in the event. Pirrung finished in 4:17:22 to win the 55-59 age group.

One of those notable performances was that of Dan Verrington, 45, Bradford, Mass., who set a pending U.S. age group record with his fifth place effort of 3:17:29. Verrington also holds the honor of winning the 2001 USA 50K Championships.

This year's event was hosted by the Long Island Track & Field Club and was held for the third consecutive year in Caumsett State Historic Park, the fourth largest of Long Island's 25 state parks. The park boasts 1,500 acres and is located 35 miles from New York City. The event will be held at Caumsett for the next three years.

Thirteen states were represented in the results with runners from their 20s to several competitors over 70 years of age. All registrants received a T-shirt and each finisher received a medal and an eco-friendly canvas bag embossed with the race logo. A special touch from the race was to provide personal finisher results for each competitor at the event. The print out included each lap time, overall time, place finish and division place.

USA 50K Championships
Caumsett State Historic Park, Huntington, NY, Sunday, March 2, 2008

MEN
1) Michael Wardian (VA), 2:55:05*
2) Jason Saitta (CO), 3:11:15
3) Adam Lint (PA), 3:14:48
4) Mark Godale (OH), 3:16:16
5) Daniel Verrington, 45, MA, 3:17:29+
*USA Championship record (previous record, 2:55:54, Richard Holloway, 1981)
+pending U.S. 45-49 age group record (previous record, 3:19:21, Tim O'Rourke, Ruth Anderson Ultra, CA, 04/19/03)

WOMEN
1) Dana Parrot (FL), 3:50:44
2) Jodi Kartes Heino (NY), 4:21:39
3) Emmy Stocker, 49, CT, 4:26:08

For complete national championship results, visit: www.usatf.org/events/2008/USA50kmChampionships/results.asp

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Brooks® Shoes Stand Tall on Industry Award Podiums
Updates to top running shoes garner a trio of editorial distinctions

BOTHELL, Wash. - (March 4, 2008) - Brooks Sports continues to build award-winning running footwear. World-renowned running resource Runner's World and trail running authority Trail Runner both crown Brooks' Cascadia 3 as "Editor's Choice," while Runner's World also heralds the Adrenaline™ GTS 8 as "Best Buy." Both medaling styles launched earlier this year.

In the Spring 2008 Shoe Review found in its March issue, Runner's World honors the Adrenaline™ GTS 8 as "Best Buy." Editors recommend the standout shoe "for runners with low to normal arches seeking a soft, durable trainer." Wear-testers loved its soft cushioning and stable ride enhanced by slight updates, including more segmentation in the heel and a rounded heel outsole.

In addition to the Runner's World tribute, Brooks' retail partners have seen strong marketplace adoption for the latest Adrenaline™ GTS introduction. The number of Adrenaline™ GTS 8 shoes shipped to accounts before February 10, 2008, rose 12 percent relative to the number of Adrenaline™ GTS 7 shoes shipped during the same period in 2007.

In its Trail Shoe Review found in the April issue - which hits newsstands this week - Runner's World names Brooks' bold Cascadia 3 trail running shoe "Editor's Choice." Regarded as "a superb update...for those runners looking for a supportive shoe that can handle a variety of terrain," the Cascadia 3 gets extra credit for shaving a full ounce off its predecessor's weight. Wear-testers applauded the Cascadia 3's excellent traction, wide base and great stability and cushioning.

The Cascadia 3 also took home Trail Runner's "Editor's Choice" award in its Spring Shoe Review, found in the April issue available on newsstands now. Editors felt "the sleek-looking shoe fit great, and the substantial midsole and grippy outsole blocked out trail stingers and provided excellent support on rough terrain."

"We are ecstatic that these editors and others in the running industry share our excitement toward the Adrenaline™ GTS 8 and Cascadia 3," said Fritz Taylor, senior vice president of footwear for Brooks Sports, Inc. "These awards are a testament to the Brooks footwear team's dedication to delivering shoes that incorporate features runners love along with purposeful enhancements to improve the ride."

Arriving on the heels of the "Editor's Choice" award Runner's World granted the Trance™ 7 in its Fall 2007 Shoe Review, these latest footwear distinctions underscore Brooks as a top choice for runners who are discerning about their gear. More technical information on the Adrenaline™ GTS 8, the Cascadia 3 and all Brooks footwear, apparel and accessories is available on BrooksRunning.com.

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Fairfax County Schools to Receive Marine Corps Marathon Healthy School Award
Lynbrook and Eagle View Elementary Schools earn top honors

QUANTICO, Va. - (March 3, 2008) - Lynbrook Elementary and Eagle View Elementary schools in Fairfax County, Va., will receive the 2007 Healthy School Award, presented by Washington FAMILY Magazine in early March. The award is presented annually by Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) and its partner, Washington FAMILY Magazine to promote health and fitness.

The Healthy School Award is presented to the schools with the greatest number of students participating in the Healthy Kids Fun Run, a one-mile just for fun event, conducted the day prior to the MCM. Washington FAMILY Magazine will make a financial donation to each the school's physical education department.

"We believe that focusing on children's health and fitness is beneficial and a priority," said Brenda Hyde, publisher of FAMILY Magazine. "These schools have met that challenge, and we are thrilled with the participation. We feel honored to make a contribution for such a well deserved program that will support efforts to help today's youth become physically fit."

Race Director Rick Nealis and Debbie Boykin, Events Coordinator for Washington FAMILY Magazine will present the Healthy School Award in the medium size school category to Lynbrook Elementary in a special assembly on Wednesday, March 5 at 1:30pm. This marks the seventh consecutive year the Springfield, Va., school has received this honor, with 168 student participants in the Healthy Kids Fun Run.

On Thursday, March 6, students at Eagle View Elementary will receive the Healthy School Award in the large school category in a presentation beginning at 2:00pm. Eagle View boasted 195 student participants in the Healthy Kids Fun Run, earning the award for the second time. In January, Charles Barrett Elementary in Alexandria, Va., received its Healthy School Award in the small school category, with 114 students participating in the race.

In addition to the award presentation, special assemblies will feature Marines and Miles, the MCM Mascot, to encourage children to stay active. WJLA weatherman Brian van de Graff will host the ceremony, with Ronald McDonald also joining in the fun!

The Healthy Kids Fun Run is a one-mile just-for-fun event, open to children ages 6 to 13. Online registration for the 2008 Healthy Kids Fun Run, to be held on October 25, will begin at noon eastern on June 4. Learn more about the Healthy Kids Fun Run and other events related to the Marine Corps Marathon at MarineMarathon.com. Kids Run sponsors include Washington FAMILY Magazine, Navy Federal Credit Union, McDonald's, National Children's Museum, Lincoln Military Housing and Sodexho.

For more information, regarding the Healthy School Awards contact Tami Faram, Marine Corps Marathon Community Relations Coordinator at (703) 432-1840, or tami.faram@usmc.mil

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org | www.RunningUSA.org