Posted: June 16, 2005

Athletics: USA 100K Team Set for the World Cup in Japan

Last March, the Mountain/Ultra/Trail (MUT) Council of USA Track & Field selected the USA 100K Team to compete in the IAU World Cup under the Patronage of the IAAF in Lake Saroma, Hokkaido, Japan on June 26.

Several athletes originally named to the team have declined their spots due to work schedules, prior racing commitments or injury. The final U.S. roster for the World Cup 100K includes:

WOMEN
Anne Riddle Lundblad, 38, Asheville, NC
Nikki Kimball, 33, Bozeman, MT
Karen Scott, 37, Florissant, CO
Ann Heaslett, 41, Madison, WI
Anthea Schmid, 33, Florissant, CO
Tania Pacev, 45, Lakewood, CO

MEN
Howard Nippert, 39, Pembroke, VA
Greg Crowther, 31, Seattle, WA
Patrick Russell, Duluth, MN
Mark Werner, 32, Boulder, CO (presently working in Cairo, Egypt)
Tim Clement, 44, Solon, OH
Scott Creel, 42, Bozeman, MT

The athletes selected by USATF/MUT comprise the officially sanctioned team from the United States participating in IAU World Cup 100K competition. Howard Nippert and Anne Riddle were automatically selected to the team based on their top ten finishes at the World Cup 100K in 2004. MUT selected the remaining team members and alternates for the national team based on their ultrarunning performances that met the published criteria during the qualifying period. See www.usatf.org/groups/MountainUltraTrail/

The team receives limited funding and most athletes must pay for a large portion of their expenses out of their own pockets. There is a non-profit organization, Ultrarunners Supporting Ultrarunners (USU) and this organization has raised funds for the team for a number of years. Donations are always welcome at www.run100s.com/USU/.

Managers of this year's team include Minnesota resident Lin Gentling and Wisconsin resident Tim Yanacheck, and Lion Caldwell from New Mexico who will serve as the team doctor.

For more information on the World Cup 100K, visit: www.iau.org.tw.

Source: Nancy Hobbs, Chair USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council,

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.