Posted: August 4, 2005

Athletics: USA's Johnson to compete in World Champs marathon

Chad Johnson has been named as a late addition to the U.S. marathon team for the upcoming IAAF World Championships in Athletics, to be held in Helsinki, Finland August 6-14. He replaces Trent Briney who withdrew last week with a back injury.

Johnson is a relative marathon novice but has shown promise at the distance. Though he had a difficult debut at the distance at the 2003 ING New York City Marathon after only two marathons he lowered his best to 2:16:57 at this year's Phoenix Rock 'n Roll Marathon. Johnson's credentials also include a win at the 2001 USA 25 km Championship (1:16:11) second-place at the 2003 USA 10 km Championship (28:29) and a half-marathon best of 1:04:20. After a brief period with American Athletics, Johnson, the 2001 USA 25 km Champion, was a charter member of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project and recently rejoined that center after a career with the Nike Oregon Project and Team USA Minnesota.

For more information on the IAAF World Championships in Athletics visit USATF.org