Selection for the 2003 Teva US Mountain Running Team Begins June 7

June 2, 2003


Top US mountain runners will converge on Northfield, MA and Vail, CO on
Saturday, June 7 to vie for a spot on the 2003 Teva US Mountain Running
Team.

The Teva Mountain Games Spring Runoff in Vail, CO will attract several
hundred runners including several current and former members of the Teva US
Mountain Running Team. Colorado runners expected to dominate the competition
include former and 2003 team members Scott Gall ('97, '99, '00), Simon
Gutierrez ('03), Anita Ortiz ('03), Kari DiStefano ('02, '03), Danelle
Ballengee ('96, '97, '99, '01), and Rene Frazee ('00). Colorado athletes
hoping to earn a berth on the team include Greg Ausperger, Roger Busch,
Josiah Middaugh, and Shelia Geere.

On the opposite side of the country a different group of mountain running
specialists will race in the USATF New England Mountain Running
Championships in Northfield, MA.  Expected to attended the Northfield event
are 2002 Teva US Mountain Team members Eric Morse (VT), Paul Low (MA), Dave
Dunham (MA), Richard Bolt (NH), Dan Verrington (MA), Julie Bryan (WY), Nikki
Kimball (NY) and Suzy West (VT). Paul Low, USATF Mountain Runner of the Year
2002, is the athlete to watch on the men's side. With recent wins at the
Merrimack River Trail Race and 7 Sisters Trail race, Low is primed for
victory.  Other elite athletes expected to attend Northfield include: Ben
Nephew who finished fifth at the 2002 US 50k Trail Running Championships,
2003 National Snowshoe Champion Kelli Lusk (CO) and 2001 US Mountain Team
Member Ryan Pauling (NY).

Like the World Mountain Trophy race being held this September in Girdwood,
AK, both the Northfield and Vail races use an up and down format that
includes over 1500' of climb and descent.  The Vail course follows a
6.3-mile course all run at or above 8200' in elevation. Northfield's course
is 8.2 miles, all below 1000' in elevation.

The top male and female runner from Vail and Northfield races will earn
automatic berths on the 2003 Teva US Mountain Running Team.  Those who do
not win will have an opportunity to make the team again in Vail, CO at the
Vail HillClimb on July 6 or at the final team selection race, the Alyeska
Mountain Race on August 9.

Sponsors of this year's team include Teva and SpecialOps Nutrition. Adam
Druckman, Teva Sports Marketing Manager, says "Teva is pleased to introduce
two new products in the Spring 2004 trail running line. Both shoes will
include design features inspired by the Teva US Mountain Running Team. Teva
is also excited to continue its role as title sponsor of the Teva Vail Trail
Running Series, which includes the Teva Vail Hill Climb, a selection race
for the Teva US Mountain Running Team."

For more information or to submit a running resume please contact:
Nancy Hobbs (Women) at trlrunner@aol.com or Richard Bolt (Men) at
rbolt@emersonecologics.com

For more information on the mountain running selection races, and our team
sponsors, please visit the websites listed below:
http://www.vailrec.com/adult/running_races/spring_runoff.html
http://www.usatf.com
http://www.usatfne.org/trail/
http://www.teva.com/
http://www.specialopsnutrition.com/news/news_events.html


 

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Last updated: 09/14/05
Web Author: Lorraine Gersitz