Posted: June 29, 2007

Athletics (RWire): Defending Champions, Top Field Expected at USA Trail Championship in Steamboat Springs

Thirteen former Mountain Team members; $5000 prize purse; Worlds selection race The renowned ski resort of Steamboat Springs, Colorado will host the fourth USA 10K Trail Championship on Saturday, June 30, replacing another state ski destination - Vail - which hosted the national championships for the past three years. Steamboat, referred to as "Ski Town USA" for its 20 athletes who competed at last year's Winter Olympics, will also host the 2008 USA 10K Trail Championship. A competitive field, including defending national champions Laura Haefeli (who has won the champs every year they have been staged) and Clint Wells, will vie for the $5000 in cash prizes and also the chance to earn a spot on the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team. The 7-deep prize money breakdown is: $900 national champion, $700 runner-up, $400 for third, $200 for fourth, $150 for fifth, $100 for sixth and $50 for seventh. "We are expecting about 150 runners and the same number of spectators for our event," said race director John Chapman. "I've really enjoyed connecting with the USATF athletes and learning a bit more about them and their passion for trail running. We're really making this more than another trail race. With the excellent support from our community, sponsors, and volunteers, this is going to be a celebration of trail running. One very hard run followed by some fun afterwards." The course is actually a bit longer than a traditional 10 kilometer race, 7.2 miles to be more specific. The route is comprised of two 3.6 mile loops with the runners passing the start/finish area between the two loops. There is 1,100' of climbing per loop translating to 1.65 miles up and 1.95 miles down. The low point on the course is approximately 6,900 feet while the highest point is 7,937 feet. The course is primarily on mountain bike trails - mostly double-track - and service roads. When asked about the course assistant race director Adam Feerst commented, "The toughest part is the ten switchbacks which climb about ¾ of a mile at 15% grade. The descent is steep, but not that technical. Good downhill runners will have a lot of fun with the descent. Runners will enjoy some nice scenery - if they have the time and energy to enjoy it." The top two USATF male runners and top USATF female runner in the national championships earn automatic spots on the Mountain Team which will compete at the World Mountain Trophy Race on September 15 in Saillon, Switzerland. They will join Rickey Gates, Paul Low and Anita Ortiz who earned spots at last weekend's USA Mountain Running Championship. Traveling to the West Coast on July 15, competitors will enjoy the third and final selection race, the Mt. Tam Trophy Race in Sausalito, Calif. where the top U.S. male and top U.S. female finisher will receive an automatic team berth. The remaining members of the squad, (one male, one female), will be selected by USATF's Mountain Ultra Trail Council with input from the team staff based on results at the selection races, past World Trophy events, national and international racing experience including mountain, road, cross country and track. Athletes MUST run a selection race in order to be considered for the team. To be considered for the team all team members MUST be current USATF members prior to running a selection race. At Steamboat Springs, runners expected to compete in age order are: MEN Junior Jonny Stevens, 16, Vail, CO Zach Rivers, 17, Victor, NY Senior Jon Severy, 25, Aspen, CO Jeff Beck, 25, Fairport, NY Rickey Gates, 26, Boulder, CO, 2007 USA Mountain Running champion Shiloh Mielke, 27, Hendersonville, NC Michael Selig, 29, Lakewood, CO Clint Wells, 32, Boulder, CO, defending champion Ivan Marsh, 33, Scottsbluff, NE Dave Mackey, 36, Boulder, CO, 2005 USA 50K Trail champion Bill Fanselow, 40, Golden, CO Simon Gutierrez, 41, Alamosa, CO, 2004 USA 10K Trail champion Bernie Boettcher, 44, Silt, CO Andy Ames, 44, Boulder, CO WOMEN Rachael Cuellar, 25, Albuquerque, NM Keri Nelson, 25, Grand Junction, CO Chris Lundy, 36, Sausalito, CA, two-time member of the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team Kelli Lusk, 37, Belchertown, MA, three-time member of the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team Laura Haefeli, 39, Del Norte, CO, a three-time (2004-06) USA 10K Trail champion Julie Bryan, 39, Jackson Hole, WY Lisa Goldsmith, 42, Nederland, CO Cindy O'Neill, 45, Manitou Springs, CO Although there will be a strong field of top runners, the event is open to runners of all ages and abilities. In addition to the national championship race at 10:00am, there will be an open race (over the same course) at 8:30am. USATF membership is not required to earn prizes in the open race. Registration is available on Friday evening at the Ski Haus until 9:00pm and also on race morning by the start area. The $35 entry includes a Smartwool shirt valued at $50. The post race festivities include an awards ceremony with great food and beer. Applications and online registration are available at: RunningSeries.com. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest