Posted: August 18, 2005

Athletics: 2005 Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team Announced

The Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team will compete in the 21st World Mountain Running Trophy in Wellington, New Zealand on Sunday, September 25. Additionally an Open race competition will be held on September 25 prior to the World Trophy Junior and Senior events. This year's Trophy races are uphill/downhill events (as opposed to even-numbered years when the events are held on uphill courses) with the Senior men running 13.5K, the Senior women and Junior men running 9.1K and the Junior women running 4.7K.

The Senior teams are led by World Mountain Running Trophy veterans Simon Gutierrez and Anita Ortiz. The women's team includes four athletes and an alternate with the top three finishers scoring for the team. Six athletes and an alternate represent the men's team with the top four finishers scoring.

This year's Senior teams include some newcomers as well as some seasoned veterans of the team.

MEN
Eric Blake, 26, Plattsburgh, NY
Simon Gutierrez, 39, Alamosa, CO
Paul Low, 31, Belchertown, MA
Peter Maksimow, 26, Springfield, MA - alternate
Timothy Parr, 23, Gunnison, CO
Ryan Pauling, 29, Rochester, NY
Kevin Tilton, 23, Conway, NH

WOMEN
Julie Bryan, 37, Jackson Hole, WY
Laura Haefeli, 37, Del Norte, CO
Chris Lundy, 34, Sausalito, CA
Kelli Lusk, 35, Belchertown, MA - alternate
Anita Ortiz, 41, Eagle, CO

Team leader Richard Bolt, Nashua NH and Junior team manager Tom Borschel, Idaho Falls, ID will accompany the team to New Zealand.

The Junior men's team includes a maximum of four with top three scoring while the Junior women's team is a maximum of three with the top two scoring. The alternates will run in the Open race, or should another athlete be unable to compete, in the Trophy race. The Junior team will be announced later.

The U.S. team is sponsored by Teva, the title sponsor and official footwear of the team, and SportHill apparel. Teva has been the title sponsor since 2002 and SportHill is in its first year as an official team sponsor. Additionally, 180s has joined as a team gear sponsor and manufacturer of such items as the ExoLite™ Ear Warmer, Convertible Running Glove™ and Eye Gear. And bag sponsor ground™ has joined as a team sponsor as well and provides a large duffle bag and backpack to each team member.

For additional event information, visit: MountainRunning.org.nz

Contact: Nancy Hobbs, Manager, Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team, (719) 573-4133; trlrunner@aol.com.