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Team Running USA Athletes - Hall, Kastor and O'Neill - Ready for Marathon Tests in London and Boston
Hall faces formidable Flora London field; favorite Kastor and O'Neill after Beijing berths
By Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire

Three Team Running USA athletes - Olympians and recent national champions Ryan Hall, Deena Kastor and Kate O'Neill - are ready to race at the most important marathons to-date in 2008, the Flora London and U.S. Olympic Trials Marathons, on Sunday, April 13 and Sunday, April 20, respectively.

In London, Hall, 25, who last November won the U.S. Men's Olympic Marathon Trials in impressive and record fashion over the hills of Central Park, returns to the site of his U.S. record debut of 2 hours, 8 minutes and 24 seconds, where he raced like a veteran and finished 7th overall against a deep international field.

This year at London, in his third marathon, the Stanford grad again faces world class competition including defending race champion Martin Lel of Kenya, 2004 Olympic Marathon gold medalist Stefano Baldini of Italy, two-time world marathon champion Jaouad Gharib and last year's London runner-up Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco, 2007 world marathon champion Luke Kibet of Kenya and his countryman, the world half-marathon record holder Sammy Wanjiru who ran 2:06:39 in his marathon debut in Fukuoka last December and South African veteran Hendrick Ramaala.

Team Running USA Coach Terrence Mahon commented on his young charge, "Ryan's build up to the Flora London Marathon has been his best training by far. He is stronger, faster and more relaxed when putting in the training workload required to be one of the world's best marathoners. He is excited to test his fitness against the incredible field that they have assembled in London. We both feel that this marathon will be a great test for what lies ahead in Beijing."

For a recent Hall interview via a podcast where he talks about his London preparations, his tapering strategy and expectations and more, visit: www.thefinalsprint.com/2008/04/tfs-running-podcast-132ryan-hall-takes-on-the-london-marathon-part-deux

A week later at the Olympic Trials over a multi-loop course in downtown Boston, Kastor and O'Neill hope to join teammate Hall on the Beijing U.S. Olympic marathon team. Based on her long list of running achievements including the first sub-2:20 marathon by a U.S. woman and her 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medal, Kastor, 35, is the clear favorite to win the event.

According to Coach Mahon, "Deena is ready to begin her quest to a return to the Olympic podium. Her training has gone very well and she is stronger than ever. She would like nothing better than to cross that line at Boston and find out that she will share her trip to China with her training partner Kate O'Neill."

O'Neill, 27, an Olympian (10,000 meters in 2004), ran an impressive debut (2:36:15) in the heat at Chicago in 2007 and as a result, the Yale grad, who won the 2008 USA Half-Marathon title in Houston on January 13, is also a contender for a top three finish at the Olympic Marathon Trials.

Coach Mahon further commented, "O'Neill, much like Ryan Hall, is a newcomer to the marathon but appears to be a natural for the event. Her third place finish in a hot and steamy Chicago shows that she knows how to handle whatever marathon race day throws at her. Having the advantage of being able to train with Deena Kastor on a daily basis - Kate knows what it will take to make the Olympic team and feels more confident about her chances after each training session."

"Deena and Kate have worked extremely hard in their Trials preparations, and they will be tough to beat and will inspire each other during the race," he added.

Other Olympic Marathon Trials contenders at Boston include two-time Olympian Elva Dryer, 2004 OMT fourth place finisher Blake Russell, Mary Akor, 2004 OMT fifth place finisher Magdalena Lewy Boulet, Samia Akbar and Desiree Davila. As past Olympic Marathon Trials have shown, however, upsets are more the rule than the exception, and someone again could "shock" the field and the pundits.

For more Olympic Trials information including the list of qualifiers and entrants, prize money, course configuration and more, go to: www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-Marathon-Women or http://bostontrials2008.com

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Inspirational "Spirit of the Marathon" in Select Boston Movie Theaters for One Night Only - Thursday, April 17
National CineMedia's Fathom, Active.com and Wasserman Media Group present acclaimed marathon documentary in conjunction with Olympic Trials and 112th Boston Marathon

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - "Spirit of the Marathon", an inspirational journey to the finish line, returns to the big screen in Boston on Thursday, April 17 in anticipation and celebration of the U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials and the 112th running of the flagship Boston Marathon. More than a sports movie, "Spirit of the Marathon" is an extraordinary film event with unique, theater-only features that has been embraced nationally by runners and non-runners alike. Tickets for this special Boston presentation are available at local presenting theater box offices (theaters are subject to change) and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Meet the Athletes of "Spirit of the Marathon" - Thursday, April 17 at 1:00-3:00pm
Preceding the back-to-back screenings of "Spirit of the Marathon" in select Boston area theaters, running luminaries will gather at 1:00pm at the Bill Rodgers Running Center at the Faneuil Hall Market Place for poster and book signings. Scheduled to appear are:

* Sara Mae Berman - Three-time Boston Marathon winner and women's running pioneer
* Tom Derderian - Author "Boston Marathon"
* Roger Robinson - Author "Running in Literature" and Boston Marathon masters winner
* Bill Rodgers - Four-time Boston Marathon & NYC Marathon champion
* Kathrine Switzer - Women's running pioneer

"Spirit of the Marathon" Film Event Screening - Thursday, April 17 at 4:30 and 7:30pm
Presented by National CineMedia's (NCM) Fathom, in partnership with Active.com and Wasserman Media Group, "Spirit of the Marathon" follows six runners as they prepare for and ultimately face the challenge of the marathon. The film premiered in January through NCM Fathom to an overwhelming response across the United States resulting in fan demand for an Encore presentation in February and a 16 city tour to coincide with local marathons and road races throughout 2008.

A "Behind-the-Scenes" featurette produced specifically for - and shown only at this one-night event - includes interviews with the director and producers as well as marathon veterans reminiscing about their first marathon experiences. The featurette highlights deleted scenes, dramatic race footage and previews the upcoming 2008 Olympics with a Q&A session with Olympians and Team Running USA teammates Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall.

"Spirit of the Marathon" appears on the big screen on Thursday, April 17 at 4:30pm and 7:30pm local time in high-definition with Cinema Surround Sound at seven local movie theaters including the Regal Bellingham 14, Cape Cod Mall 12, Independence Mall 14, Solomon Pond 15, Westborough Cinemas 12, Fox Run 15 and Fenway 13 Cinemas through NCM's Digital Broadcast Network.

Four years in the making, "Spirit of the Marathon" is the collaborative effort of three-time Academy Award winner Mark Jonathon Harris, Telly Award winner and marathon runner Jon Dunham and producer / marathoner Gwendolen Twist. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon veterans including:

* Deena Kastor - 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist - Deena set her sights on Chicago for her first marathon victory. The two-time Olympian is favored to win the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials held in Boston on Sunday, April 20.
* Leah Caille - first-time marathoner
* Gerald "Jerry" Meyers - four-time marathoner
* Daniel Njenga - world class marathoner
* Lori O'Connor - first-time marathoner
* Ryan Bradley - Boston Marathon qualifier hopeful

"It was a thrill to be a part of 'Spirit of the Marathon' and even more exciting to see the essence of this great sport captured so beautifully," said Deena Kastor. "It is my greatest hope that millions will relate to 'Spirit of the Marathon' and that many more be inspired by it."

For more information contact, Melissa Leggett, Spirit of the Marathon, (213) 625-1801 or mleggett@calico1880.com

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Sports Backers Announce the Winners of the Performance Food Group 10K Healthy Schools Challenge
Short Pump Middle, Echo Lake Elementary host top U.S. male distance runners

RICHMOND, Va. - (April 4, 2008) - Now in its third year, the Performance Food Group 10K Healthy Schools Challenge, which is organized by the Sports Backers, rewards middle schools or high schools for having students sign up for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K. Prize money was awarded to the schools with the highest percentage of participation based on total school enrollment for both middle and high schools. In addition, the Sports Backers provided training T-shirts to participants in the Healthy School Challenge that registered for the event by March 1, 2008.

The top five schools in the middle and high school categories will receive cash prizes for their student participant percentages. Below are the winners.

In the middle school category:
Millwood School, $500
Short Pump Middle School, $400
Hungary Creek Middle School, $300
Midlothian Middle School, $200
Moody Middle School, $100

In the high school category:
Trinity Episcopal School, $500
Maggie Walker Governor's School, $400
Caroline High School, $300
Cosby High School, $200
Midlothian High School, $100

10K Champions Visit Short Pump Middle School
A trio of America's top 10K runners, two-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman and NCAA champions Josh Moen and Macharia Yuot, met with students and discussed running, nutrition and life lessons on April 4. The discussion, moderated by Runner's World Magazine's Bart Yasso, started with the showing the highly acclaimed ESPN video on Macharia titled "The Lost Boys of Sudan" that chronicles his life leaving war-torn Sudan and finding haven in the United States thanks to his running abilities.

Olympian Dan Browne Visit
Echo Lake Elementary School in Henrico County hosted dual-event 2004 Olympian Dan Browne in recognition of the school having over 100 kids in their recess running program. Children's musical performers Silly Bus sang their get-up-and-go song "Watch Me, I Can Do This." After discussing running and nutrition with the kids, Team Running USA's Browne jogged with the running club members.

For more information on the Fit For Life Program or the Performance Food Group 10K Healthy Schools Challenge, contact Mike McCormick at (804) 901-9047.

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Freihofer's Run for Women 5K Unveils New Website
30th edition set for May 31st in downtown Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. - (April 7, 2008) - The Freihofer's Run for Women, one of the world's largest and most prestigious all-female 5K road races, has unveiled a new, interactive website (www.FreihofersRun.com) in time for its 30th anniversary on Saturday, May 31 at a new start time of 9:15am.

As a result of redesign, visitors can register online for the 3.1-mile race and link to social network sites such as "Map My Run" and "Athlinks," where they can interact with recreational and competitive runners from around the globe.

The contemporary site, created by Rueckert Advertising & Public Relations in Albany, NY, also features a countdown clock that dramatically ticks away the seconds to the starting gun, and a link to an online store where runners can purchase personalized 30th anniversary apparel and memorabilia.

In addition, site visitors can sign-up for other Freihofer's Run for Women Festival events - the Freihofer's Community Walk, a fundraiser for more than 80 regional charities and the Freihofer's Kids' Run, one of the top 10 largest kids' runs in the nation. They can also obtain information about the CapitalCare Health & Fitness Expo, the Capital Region's most comprehensive, interactive wellness event, offering a host of family-friendly health and fitness activities and information.

Held in downtown Albany, N.Y., the Freihofer's Run for Women has long provided women of all ages and abilities the opportunity to compete alongside many of the world's greatest long distance champions. This year's 30th edition will also include the USATF National Race Walk 10K Open and Junior Championships featuring some of the nation's top race walkers, several of whom will be Olympic team contenders.

A 30-minute Freihofer's Run for Women TV special will air Saturday, May 31 at 10:30pm on FOX23 News. An encore presentation will be shown Sunday, June 1 at 5:30pm. (or at the conclusion of NASCAR's race from Dover International Speedway) on VTV - the Variety Channel on digital channel 23.2. VTV is also available to Time Warner Cable digital cable subscribers on channel 423.

Event sponsors include the Charles Freihofer Baking Company (a division of George Weston Bakeries Inc.), Price Chopper Supermarkets, The City of Albany, Fox 23 News, Advanced Laser Medspa and host hotel 74 State.

Freihofer's, a leading baker of wholesome products, is committed to fostering the growth and recognition of women in sports and inspiring all generations of women to experience the benefits of exercise and good nutrition. Freihofer's continues to set the pace by sponsoring the annual Freihofer's Run for Women 5K. Now in its 30th year, the event, which is home to the Master's World & U.S. All-Comers record, features thousands of women of all ages and abilities from Olympians to recreational joggers, who challenge themselves on the picturesque 3.1-mile course.

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