The three disciplines of long distance running that comprise MUT continue to evolve as runners of all ages and gender seek to experience the adventure and challenges of mountain, ultra, and trail running. Likewise, the MUT Running Council continues to evolve as its members work toward gaining greater recognition for this segment of the running population.

With the emergence of mountain running on a national scale and the dissolution of the former Ultrarunning Subcommittee in 1997, the mountain and ultrarunning disciplines were combined with trail running to form the Joint LDR MUT Subcommittee in 1998. This trio of disciplines continued to grow and was elevated to the status of Council under the restructuring of 2000.

Today, the state of mountain, ultra, and trail running is strong as participation grows at a steady rate. Organized events continue to thrive and increase in size and number as well. The MUT Council assures that all three disciplines have proper representation within the Long Distance Running Division and that our running constituency is well represented in USATF.

The 17th World Mountain Running Trophy took place in Arta Terme, Italy on Sunday, September 16, 2001. Team USA finished 18th out of the 25 teams. Two USA team members, Dave Dunham (who finished 12th overall at last year's trophy event) and Eric Morse (who won the USATF New England Mountain series this year) were unable to make the trip to Italy because Logan Airport remained closed after the tragic events in the USA.

The day before, the US Women's Mountain Running team posted an impressive ninth place finish out of 22 teams to realize their best finish in the seven years of competing at the World Mountain Running Trophy. Kari DiStefano, 42, Telluride, Colorado was first among the American women placing 21st. Her time of 42:53 was the best finish for a US female runner at the World Trophy competition.

Thanks to MUT Mountain representative Nancy Hobbs’ efforts, the US Mountain Running Team has secured a title sponsor in Teva, a footwear specialist. The three-year agreement gives naming rights to the team (The Teva US Mountain Running Team).

Ultrarunning produced its finest slate of National Championships ever. With over

$25,000 in combined prize money, this years’ championships hosted some of the deepest competition ever assembled. The championships were:

MUT continues to promote the Ultra Distance National Championship calendar by actively soliciting bids from ultra race directors throughout the country. Press releases are regularly distributed to a wide variety of running and ultra media venues in an attempt to educate race directors to the benefits of hosting National Championship races and to encourage the submission of bids.

Kevin Setnes the National 100K Team Director is responsible for overseeing the development, management, and performance of the US 100K team. This

year’s team traveled to Cleder, France on August 27th. The highlight performance was Rich Hanna’s second place finish in a time of 6:43:09. Veteran Daniele Cherniak was the top American women, finishing 13th I 8:18:18. Next year’s event is on June 21st, in Torhout, Belgium.

MUT continues to set the annual selection criteria for the US 100K team and makes sure that the selection criteria and process are widely distributed to athletes.

MUT is developing a campaign to encourage masters ultrarunners to participate in USATF Masters National Ultra Championships. MUT Masters representative Theresa Daus-Weber is creating press-release profiles of USATF masters ultra champions that focus on the interesting, fun, and rewarding aspects of participating in ultra championships. There profiles are being distributed to various ultra media.

Brian Metzler, editor and associate publisher of Trail Runner magazine, has joined our Council to represent mainstream trail running in America. His primary emphasis will be on trail events that are less than a marathon in distance.

Thanks go out to the entire MUT Running Council for the efforts they have put forth in bringing these three running disciplines to a higher level within the LDR Division. It is a pleasure working with them all.

Submitted by:

Kevin Setnes and Lorraine Gersitz, Co-Chairs
USATF LDR MUT Running Council