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Boulder embraces "one race, one champion" event
From Jim Estes, USATF
BOULDER, Colo. - (February 10, 2007) - Two-time Olympians Alan Culpepper of Lafayette, Colo. and Deena Kastor of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. returned to the USA Cross Country Championships for the first time since 2003, winning in style on Saturday at the USA Cross Country Championships presented by Gleukos. Culpepper was timed in 37 minutes, 9 seconds over the men's 12K course, while Kastor cruised to victory in 26:47 for the women's 8K.
The event also served as the trials race to select the Team USA squad that will compete at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, to be held in Mombasa, Kenya on Saturday, March 24.
Culpepper, the 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials champion, used a run from behind strategy to win his third cross country title over a field that included three other past national champions. Kastor, the 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist, took the lead early to make quick work of an equally strong women's field to win her eighth XC title.
In the men's race, 2005 12K champion Dathan Ritzenhein (Boulder) charged to an early lead over the 2K course, opening a nine second gap over multiple USA Cross Country champion Adam Goucher (Portland, Ore.) at half way, with Culpepper another six seconds behind his former University of Colorado teammate.
Moving into the final four kilometers, Culpepper, 34, began a push that would take him past Goucher and Ritzenhein by the 9K mark and from there was able to enjoy winning the title in his hometown.
"This is really special," said Culpepper. "I almost came to tears down the last straight seeing all the fans. This is where Shayne and I started our marriage, and this is where my running made a big step forward. I felt like I owed it to Boulder to run well today - they've been so supportive of Shayne and I. The way this community supports us is truly amazing."
Goucher overtook Ritzenhein to capture the runner-up spot in 37:35 with Ritzenhein finishing 12 seconds later for third. Also qualifying for the Team USA Cross Country squad were Jorge Torres (Boulder); Michael Spence (Ogden, Utah); Zach Sabatino (Morgantown, W.Va.); Fasil Bizuneh (Bristol, Va.); James Carney (Marina, Calif.) and Jason Lehmkuhle (Minneapolis).
In the women's race, Kastor and two-time USA Cross Country 4K champion Shalane Flanagan (Pittsboro, N.C.) separated themselves from the field immediately, but Kastor was on her own for the majority of the race after dispatching Flanagan at the first kilometer mark.
"It felt good to get back to cross country - I haven't run a cross country race since 2003," said Kastor who won her 19th USA title overall. "I was a little scared because of my lack of cross country racing. But as soon as we got to the starting line, I felt that excitement once again from years back. It's a different burn that I felt today versus the marathon. I put my heart and soul out there, and I didn't have much left at the end."
Flanagan was timed in 27:48 for the runner-up spot, with Kara Goucher rounding out the top three in 28:01. Rounding out the qualifiers for the women's Team USA Cross Country squad were Lauren Fleshman (Palo Alto, Calif.); Renee Metivier (Boulder) and Elva Dryer (Gunnison, Colo.).
USA Cross Country Championships presented by Gleukos - World Championship Team Qualifier - Mombasa, Kenya
Boulder, CO, Saturday, February 10, 2007
12K
MEN
1) Alan Culpepper, CO, 37:09, $2500
2) Adam Goucher, OR, 37:35, $1300
3) Dathan Ritzenhein, CO, 37:47, $900
4) Jorge Torres, CO, 38:07, $750
5) Michael Spence, UT, 38:15, $650
6) Zach Sabatino, WV, 38:16, $550
7) Fasil Bizuneh, AZ, 38:24, $450
8) James Carney, CA, 38:25, $350
9) Jason Lehmkuhle, MN, 38:26, $300
10) Edwardo Torres, CO, 38:31, $250
8K
WOMEN
1) Deena Kastor, CA, 26:47, $2500
2) Shalane Flanagan, OR, 27:48, $1300
3) Kara Goucher, OR, 28:01, $900
4) Lauren Fleshman, CA, 28:26, $750
5) Renee Metivier, CO, 28:35, $650
6) Elva Dryer, CO, 28:38, $550
7) Katie McGregor, MN, 28:43, $450
8) Desiraye Osburn, KS, 28:50, $350
9) Katherine Newberry, VA, 29:05, $300
10) Catherine Ferrell, OR, 29:11, $250
Note: A bonus total of $19,000 in stipends for Team USA members will be awarded based on the rank order of finish at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
For complete results and information, go to: USATF.org and Boulder2007.com.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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