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Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein Returns to Action to Defend Title at 2008 Healthy Kidney 10K
ING New York City Marathon 2006 champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos, 2007 World Half-Marathon silver medalist Patrick Makau to challenge Ritzenhein

NEW YORK - (April 29, 2008) - U.S Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein will return to the roads of Central Park to defend his title in the Healthy Kidney 10K on Saturday, May 17, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg. Ritzenhein will face stiff competition from an international field that includes ING New York City Marathon 2006 champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil and 2007 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships silver medalist Patrick Makau of Kenya.

Race sponsor Embassy of the United Arab Emirates has once again established a prize-money purse of $23,500 - $7500 for the champion - plus a $20,000 bonus for breaking the Central Park 10K record of 28 minutes, 8 seconds, which Ritzenhein set at last year's race. Ritzenhein donated his 2007 first-place check of $7500 to the National Kidney Foundation.

"Dathan owns the Central Park 10K loop," Wittenberg said. "He won in dominating fashion last year over a stellar field, taking down a long-standing record. We expect no less of him this year."

Ritzenhein, 25, of Eugene, OR, has developed a home-field advantage of sorts in Central Park, the site of two of his greatest successes. In 2007, he ran away from two-time defending champion Craig Mottram of Australia and set the event and Central Park record. Last November, he followed up his Healthy Kidney performance with a runner-up finish at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon in Central Park to earn a berth on the 2008 Olympic team bound for Beijing.

"I'm very excited to come back to New York City for the Healthy Kidney 10K," Ritzenhein said. "This race is becoming one of the best 10K road races in the country, and I look forward to defending my title this year."

Ritzenhein experienced early success in 2008, winning the USA Cross Country Championships in February. He had planned to compete in the Central Park Challenge in March; however, a lingering soreness in his foot forced him to withdraw the week of the race.

"When I had to pull out [of the Central Park Challenge] with the injury, I was trying to look to the rest of the year and be smart for the upcoming Olympics," Ritzenhein said. "It's taken me longer than I thought to come around, but I hope to be ready to face the great competition that's been assembled for the Healthy Kidney."

Gomes dos Santos, 30, and Makau, 23, might not have the same experience on the Central Park course as Ritzenhein, but their strengths at other distances should put them in position to challenge for the title. Gomes dos Santos became the first South American to win the famed ING New York City Marathon when he defeated a world-class field for his first major marathon victory. He is a Pan American Games medalist and the South American record holder at 5000 and 10,000 meters. Makau, who will be making his United States racing debut, owns the third-fastest half-marathon time in history (58:56). He captured the silver medal at the 2007 World Half-Marathon Championships and has already won four half-marathon races in 2008.

"Marilson has an ownership stake in Central Park himself as an ING New York City Marathon champion," Wittenberg said. "He is always a fighter, and we know he'll be in the game. And Patrick Makau comes into New York on fire with a banner season thus far. He appears to be the most race-sharp of them all."

A strong group of U.S. men will return to test their Olympic-year fitness on the hills of Central Park. Andrew Carlson, 26, of Bloomington, MN, won the USA 15K Championships earlier this year and was the runner-up in the Central Park Challenge in March. Jason Hartmann, 27, of Eugene, OR, has notched two solid Central Park finishes in the past year, capturing third place in the Central Park Challenge and 10th place in the Olympic Marathon Trials last fall. Josh Moen, 26, of Readlyn, IA, took fourth in the USA 10K Championships in April and was eighth in the Central Park Challenge.

The fourth-annual race is sponsored by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to benefit the National Kidney Foundation, in appreciation of American medical excellence in the kidney transplant field. The late UAE president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan benefited from American expertise, knowledge and research when he received a kidney transplant in 2000, and this race aims to spread awareness about kidney diseases and the success of kidney transplants.

New York Road Runners is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2008. NYRR is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running, enhancing health and fitness for all and responding to community needs. For more information, visit: NYRR.org

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De Reuck, Wade Win USA Masters 10K Titles at Texas Round-Up
From Jim Estes, USATF

INDIANAPOLIS - 2004 U.S. Olympian Colleen De Reuck (Boulder, Colo.) and 2008 USA Masters Cross Country champion Sean Wade (Houston, Texas) led all contenders at the USA Masters 10K Championships, hosted by the Texas Round-Up Fitness Festival on Saturday, April 26 in Austin, Texas.

Wade outran Dennis Simonaitis by three seconds for the overall and age division (40-44) win, running 6.2 miles in 31 minutes, 15 seconds. In finishing second overall, Simonaitis captured his second consecutive national title in the 45-49 division. De Reuck dominated the women's field, running 34:17 to win by 2:09 over Jody Hawkins (Frisco, Texas) as they led the women's 40-44 division.

National titles were also awarded in the following women's categories: 45-49 - Carmen Ayala-Troncoso (Austin, Texas), 37:22; 50-54 - Christine Kennedy (Los Gatos, Calif.), 39:41; 55-59 - Kathryn Martin (Northport, N.Y.), 39:26 and 65-69 - Barbara Miller (Modesto, Calif.), 48:32.

National championships were awarded in the following men's divisions: 50-54 - David Cannon (Seattle, Wash.), 34:37; 55-59 - Nolan Shaheed (Pasadena, Calif.), 35:50; 60-64 - Ronald Wells (Alpine, Calif.), 38:24; 65-69 - Doug Goodhue (Milford, Mich.), 39:24; 70-74 - Inocencio Cantu (Richmond, Texas), 49:14 and 75-79 - Robert Coffey (Ft. Worth, Texas), 57:27.

The USA Masters 10K Championships were hosted by Texas Round-Up, a statewide fitness initiative that encourages all Texans to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles through regular exercise and general physical fitness and was created by Texas Governor, Rick Perry in 2004.

The event was held just off the steps of the State Capitol in Austin and drew thousands of participants from around the state to celebrate fitness. The championships featured a record $34,000 in prize money for U.S. Masters athletes including top 10 age-graded awards.

For more information on the 2008 USA Masters 10K Championships, visit: USATF.org

5th Texas Round-Up 10K: USA Masters Championships
Austin, TX, Saturday, April 26, 2008

MEN
1) Sean Wade (M40), TX, 31:15, $3000
2) Dennis Simonaitis (M45), UT, 31:28, $2500
3) Scott Strand (M40), AL, 31:36, $1500
4) Simon Gutierrez (M40), CO, 31:41, $1000
5) Danny Martinez (M45), CA, 31:57, $750
6) Paul Zimmermann (M45), TX, 32:00, $500
7) Carl Rundell (M40), MI, 32:07, $400
8) Danny Gonzalez (M45), OR, 32:30, $300
9) Andrew Ames (M45), CO, 32:42, $200
10) Victor Viesca (M40), TX, 32:47, $150

WOMEN
1) Colleen De Reuck (F40), CO, 34:17, $3000
2) Jody Hawkins (F40), TX, 36:26, $2500
3) Laura Haefeli (F40), CO, 36:52, $1500
4) Tania Fischer (F40), CA, 37:12, $1000
5) Carmen Troncoso (F45), TX, 37:22, $750
6) Lisa Vaill (F45), FL, 37:51, $500
7) Alyssa Tower (F45), WA, 38:47, $400
8) Kathryn Martin (F55), NY, 39:26, $300
9) Christine Kennedy (F50), CA, 39:41, $200
10) Cindy Salazar (F40), TX, 41:10, $150

Complete race results at: TexasRoundUp.org

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Martin, Lawson Win 23rd Big Sur International Marathon
From Julie Armstrong

CARMEL, Calif. - (April 27, 2008) - The 23rd Big Sur International Marathon on Sunday concluded in spectacular fashion with a postcard perfect day, nearly 8,000 event participants and flawless execution. The 26.2 mile course along scenic California Highway One includes daunting hills and breathless views. 3,192 marathoners finished under the 6 hour limit, including overall winner and two-time Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier Andy Martin, 33, of Bend, OR who crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 29 minutes, 50 seconds. Runner-up was Jesus Campos, 23, from King City, CA in 2:30:21, followed by Robert Rosasco, 24 of Hamden, CT at 2:38:38. Defending champion Jeff Gardina, 25, of Santa Cruz finished fourth at 2:41:01.

The women's race champion Kris Lawson, 28, of Parker, CO, covered the challenging course in 3:00:53, nearly 18 minutes ahead of the second place woman, Annie Fisher, 33, of New York, NY who ran 3:18:47.

Additional Big Sur events included distances of 21, 10.6 and 9 milers (runners and walkers) and a 5K. Sergio Reyes, 26, of Los Osos, CA won the 5K in 14:53 followed by three Bay Area males. Jeffrey Peterson of Stinson Beach was third at 15:39, while his wife Clara finished first in the women's 5K division at 17:23.

For a descriptive slide show complete with audio along the course, courtesy of the Monterey County Herald, go to: http://extras.montereyherald.com/slideshows/marathon0428/index.html

23rd Big Sur International Marathon
Carmel, CA, Sunday, April 27, 2008

MEN
1) Andy Martin (OR), 2:29:50
2) Jesus Campos (CA), 2:30:21

WOMEN
1) Kris Lawson (CO), 3:00:53
2) Annie Fisher (NY), 3:18:47

Full results of all events are available at: BSIM.org

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National Distance Running Hall of Fame Announces Its Class of 2008

UTICA, N.Y. - During the recent Boston Marathon weekend, the National Distance Running Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2008. Members of the class of 2008 are: Amby Burfoot, Johnny Hayes and Priscilla Welch.

"The BAA has been proud to play a role in the National Distance Running Hall of Fame announcement of inductees. We have been involved since the Hall of Fame's inception," said Guy Morse, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association.

Burfoot, as a college senior, was the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1957 with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, 17 seconds. Hayes was the first American to win the Olympic Marathon against a truly international field. Welch holds several masters records at a variety of distances including the marathon (2:26:51).

"We are honored to make this announcement as part of Boston Marathon weekend," said Tim Reed, Director of the Hall of Fame. "The BAA has been a tremendous partner for the Hall, and it is fitting to announce this exceptional 2008 class in conjunction with the BAA and one of the most important races in the world."

Reed praised this year's class as highly worthy and representative of the achievements that the distance running community admires. "This class reminds us of the hard work and dedication that it takes to excel in distance running. We are grateful that their personal achievements help bring recognition to the sport."

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 12 at the Auditorium on the grounds of the Masonic Care Community in Utica, New York. The ceremony inducting the ninth class into the Hall of Fame begins at 3:00pm, and is open to the public. Admission is free. The Induction Ceremony is part of the festivities taking place during National Distance Running Hall of Fame Weekend featuring The Boilermaker Road Race. For more information about events during the weekend, visit: Boilermaker.com

The Hall of Fame voting committee, which consists of national leaders in the running community, as well as members of each induction class, selected this year's inductees. Current Hall of Famers include: Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Frank Shorter, Kathrine Switzer, John J. Kelley, Nina Kuscsik, Billy Mills, Alberto Salazar and Grete Waitz.

2008 CLASS BIOS
Amby Burfoot
Burfoot, a Wesleyan University senior at the time, was the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1957 with his 2:22:17 victory in 1968. Burfoot is the Editor-at-Large of Runner's World Magazine. He has written several books on running, including Runner's World Complete Book of Running.

Johnny Hayes
Hayes won the 1908 Olympic Marathon in London, beating Dorando Pietri. This marathon was significant because it was the first marathon held at the now standard distance of 26 miles, 385 yards. It was also the first time an American won the Olympic Marathon against a truly international field. Hayes also won the first Yonkers Marathon in 1907, and placed 2nd (1908), 3rd (1907) and 5th (1906) at the Boston Marathon. Hayes kicked off a period of intense competition in the marathon after he turned pro shortly after his Olympic victory.

Priscilla Welch
Welch, who won the 1987 New York City Marathon at age 42, holds several masters women's records at a variety of distances including the marathon with a time of 2:26:51 from the 1987 London Marathon. Some of Welch's awards include Runner's World Magazine's 1986 Masters Woman Runner of the Year, 1991 Masters Runner of the Quarter Century and Best Female Masters Road Runner in the 1996 Runner's World "100 Years of Running" issue.

For more information, contact Mary MacEnroe at (315) 724-4525 or visit: DistanceRunning.com

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