Athletics: U.S. Women's Team Third at Beijing International Ekiden

At the 2004 Beijing International Women's Ekiden on Sunday, April 11, the U.S. women's team finished third overall in 2:29:57 behind China (2:19:52) and Japan (2:22:31). Their team place tied the 1992 U.S. women's team for best U.S. finish at the event. The 26.2 mile road relay had six legs between 5-10 kilometers and was contested on the streets of Beijing, the Chinese capital and the 2008 Summer Games host city. The U.S. team also took home $8000.

TEAM RESULTS
1. China, 2:19:52
2. Japan, 2:22:31
3. USA, 2:29:57
4. Korea, 2:35:27
5. Mongolia, 2:57:08
6. Vietnam, 3:00:01

U.S. segment summary:
5 km - 17:01/3rd - Sonja Friend-Uhl, 33, West Palm Beach, FL
10 km - 35:03/3rd - Melissa White, 23, Rochester Hills, MI
5 km - 17:36/3rd - Suzanne Weeder Einspahr, 33, Seward, NE
10 km - 38:15/4th - Leigh Daniel, 25, Rochester Hills, MI
5 km - 17:10/3rd - Erin Dromgoole, 24, Boston, MA
7.195 km - 24:52/2nd - Brianna Torres, 23, Phoenix, AZ