Posted: October 25, 2004

Athletics: Ehret Leads Americans to Medal Podium at IAU 24 Hour World Cup

Stephanie Ehret, 41, of Boulder, Colo. was the star of the day as the U.S. women's team broke into the medals, finishing 3rd among 10 national teams in this weekend's 24 Hour Run World Cup, held in Brno, Czech Republic. Ehret herself, know primarily as a trail running specialist until her stunning race this weekend on the short road loop course in Eastern Europe, took the individual bronze medal just ahead of world record holder Edit Berces of Hungary. Japan's Inagaki Sumie took the women's individual world title with 147.35 miles, followed by Russian Galina Eremina. Ehret's total of 140.16 miles bettered her personal best by an incredible 10 miles and ranks her #3 on the All-Time American list, behind only ultra greats Sue Ellen Trapp and Ann Trason. Ehret was backed up by Pam Reed of Tucson, Ariz. (132+ miles) and Sandy Powell of Greenville, Va. (122+ miles), the trio putting the USA on the medal podium for the first time in World 24 Hour competition.

Scott Eppelman of Coppell, Tex., at 38 the youngest member of the American team, led the men with a personal best 144.02 miles, duplicating John Geesler's top American finishing place of 11th in last year's World 24 Hour. Geesler, 45, of St. Johnsville, N.Y. followed close behind with 142.6 to place the American men 4th of 16 in the national team standings. Japan took both individual titles, as Ryoichi Sekiya won the race with 167.19 miles.

Report from Dan Brannen, AUA

IAU 24 Hour World Cup - Brno, Czech Republic, Sat-Sun, Oct 23-24, 2004

MEN
1. Ryoichi Sekiya, Japan, 269.085K
2. Lubomir Hrmo, Slovakia, 259.064K
3. Mohamed Magroun, France, 247.881K
4. Vladimir Bychkov, Russia, 248.595K
5. Emmanual Conraux, France, 247.205K
U.S.
11. Scott Eppelman, USA, 231.796K
14. John Geesler, USA, 229.550K
18. Roy Pirrung, USA, 223.780K
21. Alex Swenson, USA, 218.584K

MEN'S Team
1. France, 745.725K
2. Japan, 740.396K
3. Russia, 704.876K
4. USA, 685.127K
5. Slovakia, 672,143K

WOMEN
1. Sumie Inagaki, Japan, 237.154K
2. Galina Eremina, Russia, 235.012K
3. Stephanie Ehret, USA, 225.573K
4. Edit Berces, Hungary, 217.664K
5. Sachiko Okanda, Japan, 215.824K
Other U.S.
7. Pam Reed, USA, 213.276K
18. Sandy Powell, USA, 197.032K

WOMEN'S Team
1. Russia, 661.558K
2. Japan, 657.610K
3. USA, 635.932K
4. France, 598.788K
5. Italy, 571.513K

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.