After taking charge of the chase pack at the 20th annual Carlsbad 5,000 on Sunday, 2005 USA Cross Country Champion, Dathan Ritzenhein ran strong in his first road race since the March 20, IAAF World Cross Country Championships, finishing 7th , running 13:48 in Carlsbad, Calif. Fellow Colorado resident Jason Hubbard rounded out the top ten in the men's race which was won for the third time by Dejene Berhanu of Ethiopia in 13:10. Australia's Craig Mottram was 2nd in 13:20.

In the women's race, 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia tied Paula Radcliffe's World Record of 14:51 as she defeated Isabella Ochichi of Kenya. U.S. runners Erika Aklufi and Carrie Messner finished 7th and 8th.

U.S. Masters, Brian Pope and Monica Joyce were victorious in the Masters events, with Pope running 14:57 in the men's race and Joyce turning in a 17:07 in the women's.

20th Carlsbad 5000 - Carlsbad, CA, Sunday, April 3, 2005

Men: 
1 Dejene Berhanu, ETH, 13:10, $5000
2 Craig Mottram, AUS, 13:20, $3500
3 Shadrack Kosgei, KEN, 13:24, $2000
4 Sammy Kipketer, KEN, 13:34, $1000
5 Boaz Cheboiyo, KEN, 13:34, $800
6 Meshack Sang, KEN, 13:42, $700
7 Dathan Ritzenhein, USA/CO, 13:48, $500
8 Luke Kipkosgei, KEN, 13:54, $400
9 Mohamed Awol, ETH, 14:16, $300
10 Jason Hubbard, USA/CO, 14:27, $200

Women: 
1 Tirunesh Dibaba, ETH, 14:51+, $5000
2 Isabella Ochichi, KEN, 14:55, $3500
3 Meselech Melkamu, ETH, 15:16, $2000
4 Kim Smith, NZL, 15:30, $1000
5 Madai Perez, MEX, 15:50, $800
6 Haley McGregor, AUS, 16:17, $700
7 Erika Aklufi, USA/CA, 16:26, $500
8 Carrie Messner, USA/CO, 16:36, $400
9 Eloise Wellings, NZL, 16:41, $300
10 Sarah Bouchard, GBR, 16:53, $200

+ties World Record, Paula Radcliffe, Flora Light Women's 5K, London, GBR, September 14, 2003; breaks course record, 14:53, Isabella Ochichi, 2004

Masters Men: 
1 Brian Pope, 42, USA/MS, 14:57, $1000
Masters Women: 
1 Monica Joyce, 46, USA/MI, 17:07, $1000

USA Women's Half Marathon Championship Open for Bid

The Women's Long Distance Running Committee is currently accepting bids for the 2005 USA Women's Half Marathon Championships.

Bid information and applications can be found at https://www.usatf.org/groups/EventDirectors. Applications and relevant information can be sent to Will Lindgren, WLDR Championships Sub-Committee, Chair, 18312 Ontario St., Omaha, NE 68130 and Elizabeth Phillips, WLDR Committee, Chair, 444 E. 75th St., Apt 10D, New York, NY10021. Applications will be accepted until Friday April 8, 2005 at 5:00 PM EST.

Once a National Championship event is awarded, USATF's national staff will be available to assist with event sponsors to identify potential additional revenues where appropriate, negotiate contracts where necessary to protect your interests and ours, and provide additional services to the event from local Associations. Our Associations form a national network of athletes, coaches, officials, and supporters, and they can provide invaluable assistance to ensure the success of your event. We look forward to receiving a bid application from you and your community, and to assisting you in presenting the best possible championships for our top-level member athletes. Thank you for your interest in USATF and its championships programs.

Upcoming USARC Events 
April 9, 2005 - USA Men's 10 Mile Championships, Louisville, KY
May 14, 2005 - USA 25 km Championships, Grand Rapids, MI

Upcoming Team USA Events 
April 10 - Beijing International Women's Ekiden, Beijing, China
Team Roster: Briana Shook - Leg#1 5km, Samia Akbar 
- Leg#2 10km, Lucinda Hull 
- Leg#3 5km, Sabrina Monro
 - Leg#4 10km, Patricia Nervo 
 - Leg#5 5km, Erika Aklufi 
 - Leg#6 7.195km, Megan Daly - Alternate

May 30 - Bolder Boulder International Team Challenge, Boulder, CO
Team Roster:TBA

For more information on USATF Road Running events and news visit USATF.org.