Posted: January 5, 2005

Athletics: Rudolph named Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Amy Rudolph has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after she set a course record at The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, hosted on New Year's Eve by the New York Road Runners.

A two-time Olympian and two-time U.S. indoor 3,000m champion, Rudolph won the women's race in 21 minutes, 17 seconds, bettering the previous four-mile course record of 21:55, set by Atalelech Ketema of Ethiopia. Rudolph, of Providence, R.I., finished well ahead of the pack, crossing the line 25 seconds ahead of runner-up Genet Gabrigioris of Ethiopia (21:42) followed by third-place finisher Ethiopian Alemtehsay Misganaw (21:44).

In another notable performance turned in at The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, Christian Hesch (Morrow Bay, Calif.) broke his own men's course-record by eight seconds with his winning time of 18:28.

Now in its fifth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2005 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 4, Amy Rudolph.

Source: USATF.org.