Posted: March 31, 2005

Athletics: Dathan Ritzenhein Joins the World-Class Field for Carlsbad 5000

World's Fastest 5K Celebrates 20th Edition, Sunday, April 3

CARLSBAD, Calif. - (March 29, 2005) - Dathan Ritzenhein, currently one of the hottest young Americans on the running scene, has joined a world-class elite field assembled for the 20th anniversary running of the Carlsbad 5000 on Sunday, April 3.

Ritzenhein, 22, who was recently profiled in the March 21 issue of Sports Illustrated in a feature titled "Ready to Take on the World," joins two-time defending champion Dejene Berhanu (Ethiopia), course and world record holder (13:00) and three-time former champion Sammy Kipketer (Kenya) and Craig Mottram, Australia's national record holder in the 5000 meters.

A two-time Foot Locker High School Cross Country national champion (1999-2000), Ritzenhein, a Boulder, Colo. resident, competed for two years at the University of Colorado, where he won the 2003 NCAA XC title and was runner-up in the 5000 meters at the NCAA outdoor championships. The Michigan native turned professional in 2004 following his sophomore season and was a competitor in the 10,000 meters at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Ritzenhein, the 2001 World Cross Country Junior bronze medalist, started the 2005 season strong, winning the Reebok Cross Country Challenge in Belfast, Ireland in January.

Ritzenhein, coached by Brad Hudson, comes to Carlsbad seeking redemption after a sub-par performance at the World Cross Country Championships in France (March 19-20).

The women's field is expected to feature an exciting duel between defending champion Isabella Ochichi of Kenya, coming off an impressive victory at the Crescent City Classic 10K in New Orleans last Saturday, March 26, and Ethiopian youngster Tirunesh Dibaba, 19, fresh off her double gold medal performance at the World XC Championships. In the Carlsbad race that has seen 14 world records since its inception, both will pursue the current women's mark of 14:51.

Ochichi won the Crescent City 10K in 30:27, just six seconds off the world record (and #2 all-time) and a full 18 seconds ahead of Paula Radcliffe, the world record holder at that distance and the 5K. Ochichi also had top five finishes in both the long (5th) and short (3rd) races in France.

The race day weather forecast calls for plenty of sun with highs in the upper 60s and lows in the low 50s.

In addition to the elite invitational, the Carlsbad 5000 promises a scenic course, healthy competition and a weekend of fun for participants of all ages and skill levels. The popular Junior Carlsbad kids' event, now in its 16th year, is held the day prior, Saturday, April 2. For more information or to register for the races, visit www.eliteracing.com or call (858) 450-6510.

For the elite field listing as of March 29, 2005, visit SportsSystems.com.

Top American female Lauren Fleshman was a late scratch.

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.