Posted: May 5, 2006

Athletics: USATF New and Notes, Volume 7, Number 32

Runyan, Webb join field for adidas Track Classic

Two-time Olympian Marla Runyan will compete in the 3,000m at the adidas Track Classic in Carson, Cailfornia. A three-time national champion at 5000 meters, this will be Runyan's second race of the season after taking 2005 off to give birth to daughter Anna Lee.

2004 Olympian and American-record holder in the 2-mile Alan Webb will compete in that event against Ireland's Alistair Cragg, the European Indoor Champion at 3000m, 2006 U.S. Cross Country Champion at 12K Ryan Hall, Olympian Abdi Abdirahman and 2005 USA outdoor runner-up over 5,000m Ian Dobson.

The adidas Track Classic will begin at 12:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center, on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills. The second stop on USATF's 2006 Visa Championship Series, the adidas Track Classic will be broadcast live on ESPN from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. PT. (4 p.m.-6 p.m. ET).

For more information and frequent updates, visit the event website at www.adidasTrackClassic.com. For more information on USATF's Visa Championship Series, visit www.usatf.org.

Top U.S.Throwers to compete at Nike Prefontaine Classic

The reigning world outdoor champion in the shot put and two-time silver medalist at the Olympics, Adam Nelson will be challenged by the reigning world indoor champion Reese Hoffa and current world leader Christian Cantwell.

Ian Waltz and Jarred Rome, two of America's best discus throwers, who were ranked #8 and #9 respectively in the world last year by Track & Field News magazine, will have their hands full competing against discus legend Virjilijus Alekna of Lithuania, the gold medalist from the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games and the 2003 and 2005 World Championships.

In the women's hammer, American record holder Erin Gilreath will square off against two other National record holders, Croatian Ivana Brkljacic and Canadian Jennifer Joyce. Also in the fray are 2005 USA Outdoor runner-up Bethany Hart and 2005 NCAA champion Loree Smith.

The Nike Prefontaine Classic will begin at 1:30 p.m. PT at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The third stop on USATF's 2006 Visa Championship Series, the Nike Prefontaine Classic will be broadcast live on ESPN from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. PT (5 p.m. - 7 p.m. ET).

For more information, visit the event website at www.preclassic.com. For more information on USATF's Visa Championship Series, visit www.usatf.org.

Masback to run Mini

USA Track & Field CEO Craig Masback will compete in this weekend's OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis, Ind. Attracting more than 30,000 runners and walkers from all over the world, it's the nation's largest half-marathon and the 8th largest road race in America. The Mini is part of the 500 Festival which annually produces 20 events and programs to celebrate the success of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Indiana and their guests.

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