December 10, 2002
For Immediate Release
Record Number of Championships Awarded for
2003
In 2003 ultra, trail, and mountain runners have the broadest opportunity
to run USA national championship and selection races in the history of USATF’s
championship program. To offer this
expansive slate of races, the USATF Mountain/ Ultra/Trail Running Council
selected the first-ever USA National Mountain Running Championship to be staged
in Vail, Colorado on July 6 with the 25th Vail Hill Climb. Three mountain selection races and four
ultra championships at various distances on both trails and roads were also
selected as championships in 2003.
At the annual USATF convention in Kansas City, Missouri on December 6,
MUT selected events that each demonstrate championship quality. These events
include men’s and women’s open and masters championships and mountain team
selection races that span the nation from Massachusetts to Alaska. The slate includes a Teva U.S. Mountain
Running Team selection race in Girdwood, Alaska on August 9 on the same course
that will host the World Mountain Running Trophy in September.
The first U.S. male and. female finishers at each of the three selection
races will receive an automatic berth on the 2003 Teva U.S. Mountain Running
Team, and the first male USATF member at the USA National Mountain Running
Championship will also receive an automatic berth. The remaining members of the team, three men and two women, will
be selected by the MUT Council based on results at World Trophy events,
national and international racing experience with the heaviest weight placed on
finishes in selection races.
Benefits of Running in a
Championship
When
you participate in a USA ultra championship race and win overall or in one of
the 5-year masters age groups, you win the title of USA national champion or
masters age-group national champion. As
a winner, you receive a USATF national championship award. In addition, team competition is offered at
a national championship race, so USATF member running clubs can vie for the
title of national champion team. Many
championship races offer prize money and the opportunity to run with the best
ultrarunners in the country.
To participate in the USA championships at these races, runners must be
current members of USATF. The
approximately $20 annual membership can be obtained through local USATF
Associations or at www.usatf.org.
Become a National Championship in
2004
To
host a championship in 2004, submit a bid form by July 1, 2003 or by November
1, 2003. Early selection allows time to
advertise a race as a USA championship to attract runners and sponsors. The bid
form and other information are available on the MUT
championship web page or from MUT Championship Coordinator Janice Anderson
at 770-794-9537 (h) or 770-433-8211 ext 17654 (w) or Janice_Anderson@HomeDepot.com.
Congratulations to the races selected for the 2003 Championships and
Selection Races!
2003
MUT Championship and Selection Races
|
Race |
Race Type |
Date |
Location |
Contact |
Email/Web
Site |
|
White River 50
Mile Trail Race |
Ultra
Champion-ship |
Aug 2 |
Crystal Mountain,
WA |
Scott McCoubrey |
|
|
New England
Northfield Mt 13K |
Mountain Team
Selection Race |
Jun 7 |
Northfield, MA |
Dave Dunham |
|
|
Teva Mt Games
Spring Runoff 10K |
Mountain Team
Selection Race |
Jun 7 |
Vail, CO |
Mike Ortiz |
|
|
Vail Hill Climb 8
Mile |
Mountain
Champion-ship |
Jul 6 |
Vail, CO |
Mike Ortiz |
|
|
Alyeska Mt Run
11.5K |
Mountain Team
Selection Race |
Aug 9 |
Girdwood, AK |
Brad Precosky |
|
|
Golden Gate Headlands 50K Trail Run |
Ultra
Champion-ship |
Aug 23 |
Sausalito, CA |
Peter Franks |
|
|
Olander Park 100
Mile Run |
Ultra
Champion-ship |
Sept 13 |
Sylvania, OH |
Tom Falvey |
|
|
San Diego 1 Day -
24 Hour Run |
Ultra
Champion-ship |
Nov 15 |
San Diego, CA |
John Metz |