Browne, Glusac Ready to Defend USA 20K Titles at New Haven
Top U.S. fields also vie for $26,000 national championship purse

(From Running USA Wire)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - (August 29, 2002) - The USA Men's and Women's 20K Championships return to the New Haven Road Race on Labor Day, Monday, September 2. As the race celebrates its 25th edition, top American fields including the defending champions Dan Browne and Milena Glusac and ten past national champions and four Olympians are expected to compete for U.S. 20K titles and $26,000 in USA Championship money. For ten consecutive years for the men and for two straight years for the women, New Haven has hosted the national 20K road championships.

As a USA Championship, the New Haven 20K is also part of the USA Running Circuit (USARC), a USA Track & Field road series. Many of the top contenders for the $25,000 USARC Grand Prix will be at the race including the top three women - Colleen De Reuck, Jeanne Hennessy and Libbie Hickman and male contenders - Jim Jurcevich (#3), Peter DeLaCerda (#4), David Morris (#6) and Browne (#8). The top ten U.S. finishers will earn important Circuit points.

"We are very excited about this year's national championship, particularly with both defending champions Dan Browne and Milena Glusac returning to face formidable fields. We expect the racing to be intense and highly competitive," said John Bysiewicz, Race Director.

Last year, over the final miles, Browne pulled away from Morris for the U.S. title in 1:00:10 with Morris second (1:00:25), while Glusac led from the start and went unchallenged to the women's crown in 1:07:49 (the 4th fastest American woman all-time) with Christine Clifton second (1:08:25).

Browne, 27, of Portland, Ore. is a favorite to claim his second consecutive U.S. 20K road crown. The 2001 USARC Grand Prix co-champion - who is coached by American legend Alberto Salazar - has excellent finishing speed as evidenced by his 10,000 meter personal record of 27:47.04 set in May and his five 1998 USA titles (5K, 10K, 10,000m, 3000m indoor and 4K cross country).

Browne's likely challengers at New Haven should be:
1) Peter DeLaCerda, 30, (Alamosa, CO), 2002 USA Half-Marathon champion (1:05:57, UMKC Hospital Hill); 2001 USA 25K Championships runner-up (River Bank); 2nd 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (2:16:18, personal record); Team USA California

2) David Morris, 31, (Albuquerque, NM), 2002 USA 25K champion (River Bank) and World Half-Marathon Championships team; former U.S. marathon record holder (2:09:32 at 1999 LaSalle Banks Chicago); 1997 USA Half-Marathon champion

3) Jim Jurcevich, 26, (Columbus, OH), 2002 USA Half-Marathon Championships runner-up (UMKC Hospital Hill), third USA 25K Championships (River Bank) and World Half-Marathon Championships team; 6th 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000m

4) Scott Larson, 32, (Boulder, CO), 2001 USARC Grand Prix co-champion with Dan Browne and USA Marathon champion (2:15:26, New York City); 2001-2 World Half-Marathon Championships team; 4th 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (Pittsburgh)

5) Keith Dowling, 33, (Reston, VA), top American at the 2002 Boston Marathon (2:13:28, 15th overall); 2001 USA Half-Marathon Championships runner-up (1:03:59, Parkersburg)

Other top U.S. men expected at New Haven include:

Jeff Campbell (Rochester Hills, MI); Kevin Collins (Craryville, NY); Tony Cosey (Knoxville, TN), 2000 Olympian steeplechase; Darrell General (Mitchellville, MD); Teddy Mitchell (Boulder, CO); Todd Reeser (Canandaigua, NY), 2000 USA 20K champion (New Haven); Matt Thull (Wauwatosa, WI); Clint Verran (Rochester Hills, MI), 2001 USA Marathon Championships runner-up (New York City) and Chris Wehrman (Chicago, IL)

In the women's race, Milena Glusac, 26, of Fallbrook, Calif. will need another stellar New Haven performance to repeat as U.S. champion because her competition includes 1998 New Haven champion Colleen De Reuck who set the 20K world record (1:05:11) that year, 2000 Olympian Libbie Hickman and Team USA California teammate Jeanne Hennessy, and they are fit. Glusac - the 2001 USARC Grand Prix champion - is also race ready as she recently finished 3rd at the SBLI Falmouth Road Race against a top international field (where De Reuck finished 4th, Hickman 8th and Hennessy 13th). In June, the Oregon graduate finished second at the USA 10,000 meter championships in a personal record, 32:15.09. Last year, she won three U.S. road titles (20K, half-marathon and 25K).

Glusac's main challengers should be:

1) Colleen De Reuck, 38, (Boulder, CO), 2002 World Cross Country Championships bronze medal, USA 7 Mile champion (Bix 7), USA 5K Championships runner-up (Freihofer's), current USARC leader (34 points) and Steamboat Classic 4 Mile winner (19:59); 2001 USA 8K champion (Carolina); became U.S.
citizen in December 2000; in 1998, set world records at 20K (1:05:11, New Haven) and 10 Mile (51:16, Nortel Cherry Blossom); three-time Olympian for South Africa

2) Libbie Hickman, 37, (Ft. Collins, CO), returning to competition after 2001 maternity leave; 3rd 2002 USA 7 Mile Championship (Bix 7); 2000 USA 5K champion and 10,000m Olympian; 1999-2000 USARC Grand Prix champion; 1998-2000 USA 10K champion; 1999 10 Mile champion and 1998/2000 Half-Marathon champion

3) Jeanne Hennessy, 24, (Mahopac, NY), 2002 USA 25K champion (River Bank) and currently second in the USARC standings (23 points); 5th 2001 USA Marathon Championships (2:39:58, PR); former soccer goalie at Villanova; Team USA California

Other top American women at New Haven include:

Gordon Bakoulis (New York, NY), top master and 1993 New Haven winner; Faith Byrum (Boulder, CO); Christine Clifton (Auburn, WA), 2001 USA 20K Championships runner-up (New Haven); Machelle Cochran (Rochester, NY); Nicole Hunt (Deer Lodge, MT); Judy Johnson (Marietta, GA); Beth Old (Douglasville, GA), 2002 USA 25K Championships runner-up (River Bank); Michelle Simonaitis (Salt Lake City, UT); Linda Somers Smith (San Luis Obispo, CA), top master and 1996 Olympic marathoner and Molly Taber (Boxford, MA)

The $30,100 total prize purse includes $26,000 for the USA Championship ($5000, $3000, $1500, $1250, $1000, $500, $300, $200, $150 and $100 for 10th). In addition, the first runner to break the course record (57:37 for men and 1:05:11 for women) will earn an extra $1000 bonus.

The New Haven 20K is home of four Open records (women's world, men's and women's U.S. All-Comers and U.S. women's).

20K Road Records
U.S.
59:13 Paul Cummings, New Bedford (split), MA, 03/15/87
1:07:07 Trina Painter, New Haven, CT, 09/04/95

U.S. All-Comers
57:37 Khalid Khannouchi (MAR), New Haven, 09/07/98
1:05:11 Colleen De Reuck (RSA), New Haven, CT, 09/07/98

World
56:18 Paul Tergat (KEN), Stramilano (split), ITA, 04/04/98
1:05:11 Colleen De Reuck (RSA), New Haven, CT, 09/07/98

Compiled and verified by USATF Road Running Information Center (805) 696-6232; USATFRRIC@aol.com; www.usaldr.org

The flat, fast loop course starts and finishes at the New Haven Green. Over 5,000 participants in the 20K and accompanying 5K and 1/2 mile children's runs are expected at the 25th annual Labor Day race, the fourth largest 20K in the country (2,072 finishers in 2001). The New Haven Road Race is sponsored by New Haven Savings Bank, Bayer Corporation and the City of New Haven. For more information, visit the race website at http://www.newhavenroadrace.org.

Recent Men's USA 20K Champions
1985 Jon Sinclair 1:01:45 Big Boy Classic, WV
1986 Mark Curp 1:01:31 Big Boy Classic, WV
1987 Mark Curp 1:02:21 Big Boy Classic, WV
1988 Mark Curp 1:02:26 Big Boy Classic, WV
1989 Paul Gompers 1:02:31 Big Boy Classic, WV
1990 Ed Eyestone 1:01:54 Big Boy Classic, WV
1991 Mark Curp 1:03:29 Big Boy Classic, WV
1992 Paul Pilkington 1:03:09 Big Boy Classic, WV
1993 Keith Brantly 59:55 New Haven Road Race, CT
1994 Ed Eyestone 59:16 New Haven Road Race, CT
1995 Joe LeMay 59:30 New Haven Road Race, CT
1996 Joe LeMay 59:37 New Haven Road Race, CT
1997 Brian Clas 1:00:43 New Haven Road Race, CT
1998 Terrence Mahon 1:00:58 New Haven Road Race, CT
1999 Phillimon Hanneck 1:01:02 New Haven Road Race, CT
2000 Todd Reeser 1:00:00 New Haven Road Race, CT
2001 Dan Browne 1:00:10 New Haven Road Race, CT

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Two More Athletes Join Team USA Minnesota Roster
Competitions Announced through September 21

(From Running USA Wire)

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - (August 27, 2002) - Team USA Minnesota has selected two more athletes - Mike Wisniewski and Sara Wells - to join the post collegiate distance training center based in Minneapolis/St. Paul and also announced upcoming road race competitions through Sept. 21.

Wisniewski is a 2002 graduate of the University of Michigan, where the All-American was the Big Ten champion in the 10,000 in both 2000 and 2001 and has personal bests of 14:05 in the 5000 and 28:55 in the 10,000. He also achieved All-America honors at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 1999 and 2001, finishing as high as 18th overall. In addition, Wisniewski competed at the U.S. Outdoor Nationals in the 10,000 in June this year.

Wells graduated from Oklahoma State University in December 2001, where she was an All-American in cross country and track. She was 4th in the 10,000 at the 2001 NCAA Outdoor Track Championships and competed at the USA Outdoor Nationals in the 10,000 in 2001. Last February, she was 10th in the USATF Cross Country Nationals 8K. Her best times include a 16:24 in the 5K, 33:46 in the 10,000 and 1:14 in the half-marathon.

The Team USA Minnesota athletes now include females Carrie Tollefson, Katie McGregor, Kristen Nicolini and Wells; along with male runners Chris Lundstrom, Kurt Keiser, Jason Lehmkuhle, Matt Gabrielson and Wisniewski.

Through mid-September, the male athletes are scheduled to compete in the following road races:

Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile Run - Sept. 2
Chris Lundstrom, Kurt Keiser and Mike Wisniewski will be among the 2,000 competitors at the 25th annual Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile in Chicago on Labor Day. All three runners are using the race as a tune-up for marathons this fall, with Lundstrom and Keiser set to run the Twin Cities Marathon on Sept. 29, and Wisniewski to debut at the marathon distance at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13.

CVS/pharmacy Downtown 5K - Sept. 15
Jason Lehmkuhle and Matt Gabrielson will be part of the American field for the USA Men's 5K Championships at the CVS/pharmacy Downtown 5K in Providence, Rhode Island in mid-September. Lehmkuhle has a 5K personal best of 13:59 and Gabrielson's best is 14:04. The race attracts more than 3,000 runners.

Great Cow Harbor 10K - Sept. 21
Mike Wisniewski will compete at the 25th annual Great Cow Harbor 10K, a race in Northport (Long Island) New York that was canceled last year due to the events of Sept. 11. This year's race is the site of the RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) National 10K Championships. More than 5,000 runners are expected to participate.

Team USA Minnesota is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Now in its second year, it is the fourth distance training center designated by Team USA Distance Running, a partnership between USA Track & Field, the governing body of the sport and Running USA, a national trade organization of road races and industry representatives. Team USA Minnesota is a coordinated effort to bring local resources together to improve post-collegiate American distance running and develop future Olympians.

Since 2001, along with their 21 national titles, Team USA Distance Running athletes have earned World Cross Country Championship medals, set one world road record, five national records and numerous personal records and added to the U.S. all-time lists.

Team USA Minnesota athlete accomplishments to date in national championships include:
2001, third place male (Chris Lundstrom) in the USA Marathon Championship; 2002, second place female (Carrie Tollefson) in the USA Cross Country Championships 4K and 11th place in the World Cross Country Championships 4K; fourth place men's team in the USA Cross Country Championships 12K; bronze medalist in the 5000 (Tollefson) at the USA Outdoor Championships; bronze medalist in the 10,000 (Katie McGregor) at the USA Outdoor Championships and second place (McGregor) in the USA 7 Mile Championship.

The Minnesota training center's major sponsor is Life Time Fitness; bronze sponsors are the Twin Cities Marathon and the Minnesota Distance Running Association. For more information about Team USA Minnesota, visit the website at www.teamusaminnesota.org.

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Top Fields to Help Celebrate 25th Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile
Patrick Nthiwa and Naomi Wangui Return to Defend Titles

(From Running USA Wire)

PARK FOREST, Ill. - (August 27, 2002) - Labor Day, Monday, September 2 will mark the 25th Running of the Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile and once again deep fields - including defending champions Patrick Nthiwa and Naomi Wangui and 2000 champion David Njuguna - are expected to compete for over $20,000 in prize money and other awards. Race time is 8am sharp on Main Street, a new start area. Park Forest located just south of Chicago.

Five men - James Barry, Dennis Lane, Andrew Praxmarer, James Stedt and David Wilson - will be running their 25th Park Forest Scenic 10.

Here is the list of top athletes and local heroes for the Labor Day tradition.

Top Athletes for 25th Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile
(PR indicates 10 mile best)
MEN
Patrick Nthiwa, Kenya, DEFENDING CHAMPION 47:20 in 2001 #5 45:53 PR
David Njuguna, Kenya, 2000 Champion 47:29 in 2000 #10 47:27 PR
John Kariuki, Kenya, 47:43 in 1999 8th at Crim 47:58 2002 46:40 PR
Simon Sawe, Kenya, 2nd at Americas Finest City 1/2 marathon 2002 47:46 PR
Thomas Omwenga, Kenya, 47:18 PR; 28:17 10K best
Daniel Churyuiyot, Kenya, 29:48 10K best
Patrick Muturi, Kenya, 2:08:59 marathon best 48 minute PR
Simon Wangai, Kenya, 28:52 10K; 45:16 PR
Elly Rono, Kenya, 2002 Grandmas Marathon Champion 28:42 10K best
Chris Lundstrom, Team USA Minnesota, 29:05 10K PR; 2:18:08 marathon PR (NYC)
Ronald Mogaka, Kenya, 10th at Crim 2002 46:48 PR
John Kanyiri, Kenya, 28:11 10K best 48 min PR
James Mutuse, Kenya, 49:36 PR
Francis Kamau, Kenya, Masters Runner 49:49 PR
John Mirth, USA Masters Runner, Wisconsin, 48:51 PR
Patrick Kaage, Kenya, 29:16 10K best
Wilson Kagiri, Kenya, 28:54 10K best
Anthony Korir, Kenya, 61:06 1/2 marathon best
Charles Wangondu, Kenya
Kurt Keiser, USA, Team USA Minnesota, 50:22 PR
Joey Keillor, USA, Team USA Minnesota, 29:28 10K best
Mark Stickley, USA, Masters Runner, 47:42 PR
John Nakel, USA Ohio, 51 min PR
Brad Kirk, USA Michigan, 48:54 PR
Warren Utes, 82, USA Illinois, World Record Holder; Masters Legend
Derek Olenek, USA Illinois, Olympic Trials Qualifier
Carey Pinkowski, USA, Hall of Fame/Chicago Marathon Director

WOMEN
Naomi Wangui, Kenya, DEFENDING CHAMPION 55:02 in 2001 #7 all-time 54:36 PR
Teresa Wanjiku, Kenya, Parkersburg 1/2 Marathon champ 2002 in 1:11:55 54:06
PR
Hannah Njeri, Kenya, 53:48 PR
Agnes Ngunjiri, Kenya, 3rd Crim 10 mile 2002 in 55:38 33:33 10K best
Jackline Torori, Kenya, 4th in 2000 with a 55:36 32:42 10K best
Janet Robertz, USA MN, Master; 4th 2001 with a U.S. single age record-56:32
Lucie Mays, USA Indiana, 11th in 2001 56:32 PR
Becky Lorey, USA Missouri, 2nd at Rocket City Marathon 2001
Gloria Iverson, USA Top Local
Jackie Brooks, USA North Carolina, 2:50:35 marathon best
Jennifer Potts, USA, 10th in 2001
Lisa Menninger USA, top local athlete
JulieAnne White, Canada, top international tri-athlete
Eileen Nelson, USA Illinois, National 10 Mile F65-69 Record Holder (1:15:01)

Visit the race website at: http://www.villageofparkforest.com

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PAUL TERGAT TO RUN LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON
World's Second Fastest Marathoner Joins Chicago's Historic Field

Chicago (August 13, 2002) Paul Tergat - one of the greatest distance runners of all-time - has committed to The 25th Anniversary LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski announced today. Earlier this year Tergat became the world's second fastest marathoner with a 2:05:48 performance in London after an epic duel against World Record holder Khalid Khannouchi and Haile Gebrselassie. Tergat joins an unprecedented field in Chicago that now includes a match-up of the two fastest male and the two fastest female marathon runners of all-time.

"Paul's addition to this field makes it the strongest in the 25 year history of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon," said Pinkowski. "To have both world record holders Khalid Khannouchi and Catherine Ndereba is an accomplishment, but to also have their closest competitors, Paul Tergat and Paula Radcliffe in the same race is epic. To have these magnificent athletes meet in the prime of their careers on Chicago's fast course may result in the greatest head to head competitions in marathon history. I can't wait for October 13!"

The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is the first time that both the men's and women's World Record holders have appeared in the same race since the 1984 Olympics. And for the first time in the history of marathon running the world will witness the two fastest males and two fastest females competing against each other.

Tergat, 32-years old from Baringo, Kenya, is now mastering the marathon distance after having one of the most successful and decorated track careers in history. He is a former World Record holder in the 10,000 meter (26:27.85) and two-time silver medallist in the Olympic 10,000 meter (1996 & 2000). Tergat won five consecutive World Cross Country Championships from 1995 to 1999. He holds two world half-marathon championship titles (1998, 1999) and a World Record in the distance (59:06). Last year Tergat finished second (2:08:56) in is first appearance in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. His second place finish of 2:05:48 at the London Marathon this spring was the third fastest of all-time and a Kenyan national record.

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has always lived up to its reputation as one of the world's fastest courses. Besides Catherine Ndereba's World Record set in 2001, Joan Benoit Samuelson set the woman's American record of 2:21:21 in Chicago in 1985. In its 24-year history Chicago also has owned two men's World Records (1984 Steve Jones ? 2:08:05, 1999 Khalid Khannouchi ? 2:05:42).

Elite athletes will compete this fall for an event record purse of $500,000. The male and female winners each will earn $100,000, the largest ever payout for first place in a marathon. The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon begins Sunday, October 13 at 7:30 a.m., starting and finishing in Chicago's Grant Park. The race will be televised live on NBC5 and broadcast on Chicago's ESPN Radio AM1000 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The 2002 race is expected to draw up to the registration cap of 37,500 participants.

REGISTRATION NOTICE: Registration is soaring for the 25th Anniversary of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. To date, more than 30,000 runners have signed up for the October 13th race. Registration totals have been ahead of last year's pace, which set a record by reaching its cap of 37,500 entrants at the end of August. The registration cap of 37,500 is expected to be reached very soon.

The Marathon is open to all runners who can complete the course in less than six hours. For information call toll-free 1-888-243-3344 (U.S. and Canada) or (312) 904-9800. Registration is $80 ($90 for international participants) and can be completed online by visiting www.chicagomarathon.com. Mail-in entries will be accepted until September 9, 2002. Runners registering online receive a $5 discount and have a September 16, 2002 deadline or until the registration cap is reached, whichever comes first. There will be no race weekend registration.

# # #
Editor's Notes: You can find all our past press releases in the "Press Center" section of www.chicagomarathon.com

MEN HOME PR
Michael Aish NZL Debut
Jeff Campbell USA 2:19:18
Alan Culpepper USA Debut
Luis Antonio Dos Santos BRA 2:08:55
Keith Dowling USA 2:13:28
Shawn Found USA Debut
Peter Githuka KEN 2:08:02
Tobias Hiskia RSA 2:07:02
John Kagwe KEN 2:08:12
Joseph Kariuki KEN 2:13:58
Ben Kimondiu KEN 2:08:52
Khalid Khannouchi USA 2:05:38
Eric Mack USA 2:12:42
Paul Tergat KEN 2:05:48
Gert Thys RSA 2:07:45
Clint Verran USA 2:17:20
Mark Steinle GBR 2:09:17
Chris Wehrman USA 2:19:01

WOMEN HOME PR
Masako Chiba JAP 2:25:11
Deena Drossin USA 2:26:58
Jeanne Hennessy USA 2:39:58
Nicole Hunt USA Debut
Kristy Johnson USA 2:29:05
Catherine Ndereba KEN 2:18:47
Paula Radcliffe GBR 2:18:56
Jen Rhines USA Debut
Zinaida Semyonova RUS 2:26:51
Yoko Shibui JAP 2:23:11
Marian Sutton GBR 2:28:42
Svetlana Zakharova RUS 2:22:31