Posted: April 19, 2005

Athletics: USATF Long Distance Running Notes - April 16-18, 2005

Culpepper places fourth at Boston Marathon

2004 Olympic marathoner, Alan Culpepper gradually worked his way through the top ten to finish fourth in 2:13:39 at the 109th running of the BAA Boston Marathon. Culpepper, of Louisville, Colo., led U.S. finishers with the first top five finish by an American since 1987.

Further demonstrating the resurgence of long distance running in the U.S., American athletes captured three more spots in the top 20. Peter Gilmore of Menlo Park, Calif. finished tenth in 2:17:32, with Ryan Shay and Chris Lundstrom rounding out the top 20 in 2:18:17 and 2:23:50 respectively.

Making his move at 22 miles, Hailu Negussie of Ethiopia pulled away from 2003 champion Robert Cheruiyot, to win in 2:11:45. Cheruiyot would eventually finish in 2:14:30 for fifth, behind Culpepper.

In the women's race, Olympic silver medalist Catherine Ndereba won a historic fourth Boston title after coming from as far back as 1:20 at half way, overtaking Elfenesh Alemu, of Ethiopia just past the crest of "Heartbreak Hill" to win in 2:25:13. Emily Levan was the top U.S. finisher in 12th in 2:43:14.

Lagat sets Mt. SAC record in first race as a U.S. Citizen

In his first race as a United States citizen, Bernard Lagat emerged with a meet record Friday night at the Distance Carnival of the Mt. San Antonio College Relays in Walnut, Calif.

Lagat, 30, who officially became an American on March 29, broke his own meet record in the Invitational 5,000 meters with a time of 13 minutes 14.71 seconds, which also put him in the U.S. top ten all-time performances.

Due to Lagat's recent change in citizenship, international track rules require a three-year wait, making him ineligible to represent the U.S. at this year's World Championships. However, Kenya's national athletics federation may grant an early release making him eligible to represent the U.S. in 2006.

Minnesota Distance Invitational

The Minnesota Distance Invitational, organized and hosted by Team USA Minnesota is scheduled for May 21 at the Macalester College Track in St. Paul, Minn.

The Minnesota Distance Invitational begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, and features a women's 3000 meter steeplechase, and men's and women's 1500 meters, 5000 meters and 10,000 meter events. Marathon Sports is sponsoring the women's 5000 meter run, and the Twin Cities Marathon is sponsoring both the men's and women's 10,000 meters. The invitational features a prize purse of over $12,000, with $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third in all seven events.

Several Team USA Minnesota athletes will compete at the invitational along with other Olympians, national and world-class distance runners. For a list of competing athletes check the Status of Entries section on the meet web site. A Meet of the Miles, open to all runners, will be held prior to the invitational at 5:30 p.m. An Athlete Autograph Party will be held from 9-10 p.m. at the Macalester College Field House.

For more information about tickets and the event, visit the www.teamusaminnesota.org web site.

Pete Julian named to coaching position at Metropolitan State College

The Metropolitan State College of Denver cross country program now has a leader to guide its development. Athletic Director Joan McDermott named Pete Julian the head coach of the Roadrunner men and women's cross country teams.

Julian, a bronze medalist in the 1999 Pan American Games (10,000 meters; Winnipeg, Canada), as well as a member of the United States World Cross Country Team in 1997 and 1998, served as assistant coach for the Regis University cross country team this past fall.

Metro State's cross country program will begin next fall and compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

USATF Club Championship Series

Over the past several years, USATF has initiated national club championships in cross country and track & field. These national club championships provide clubs a chance to showcase their talents and earn national bragging rights.

This year's USATF National Club T&F Championships will be held July 15-16 at the newly renovated Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island in New York City. The meet schedule has been posted at www.usatf.org/events/2005/USATFClubTFChampionships/The online entry application will be available in the next 30 days.New for 2005: This year's championships are only open to athletes who are bona fide members of a registered club. In past years unattached athletes were permitted to compete.

Find a club near you

USA Track & Field has over 2,000 clubs throughout the U.S. For a list of clubs in your local Association, please visit www.usatf.org/clubs/search. Select your Association from the menu or enter your zip code.

Upcoming USARC Events

May 14, 2005 - USA 25 km Championships, Grand Rapids, Michigan
September 5 - USA 20 km Championships, New Haven, Connecticut
September 11 - USA 5 km Championships, Providence, Rhode Island
October 2 - USA Marathon Championships, Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 10 - USA Women's 10 km Championship, Boston, Massachusetts
November 5 - USA Men's 10 km Championship, Mobile, Alabama

Upcoming Team USA Events 
May 30 - Bolder Boulder International Team Challenge, Boulder, Colorado

Team Roster: TBA

Upcoming USA Masters Championships 
June 4 - USA Women's Masters 5 km Championships, Albany, New York
August 7 - USA Masters 8 km Championships, Honolulu, Hawaii
September 25 - USA Masters 10 km Championships, Paso Robles, California 

Upcoming Mountain/Ultra/Trail Events 
June 4 - USA 10 km Trail Championships, Vail, Colorado
June 18-19 - USA 100 Mile Trail Championships, Loudonville, Ohio
July 30 - USA 50 Mile Trail Championships Crystal, Mountain, Washington
August 27 - USA 50 km Trail Championships, San Francisco, California
October 15 - USA 50 Mile Championships, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania

For more information on USATF Long Distance Running events and news visit .