Dathan Ritzenhein Running Carlsbad 5k
Race Press Release

World Renowned 5K Celebrates 20th Anniversary April 3

CARLSBAD, Calif. (March. 29, 2005) – Dathan Ritzenhein, currently one of the hottest young Americans on the running scene, has joined a world-class elite field assembled for the 20th anniversary running of the Carlsbad 5000 on April 3.

Ritzenhein, who was recently profiled in the March 21 issue of Sports Illustrated in a feature titled "Ready to Take on the World," joins two-time defending champion Dejene Berhanu (Ethiopia), course and world record holder and three-time former champion Sammy Kipketer (Kenya) and Craig Mottram, Australia's national record holder in the 5,000-meters.

A three-time Foot Locker High School Cross Country national champion, Ritzenhein, 22, competed for two years at the University of Colorado, where he won the 2003 NCAA XC title and was runner-up in the 5,000-meters at the NCAA outdoor championships. He turned professional in 2004 following his sophomore season and was a competitor in the 10,000-meters at the Athens Olympics. Ritzenhein started the 2005 season strong, winning the Reebok Cross Country Challenge in Belfast, Ireland in January.

Ritzenhein, who lives and trains in Boulder, Colo., comes to Carlsbad seeking redemption after a sub-par performance at the World Cross Country Championships in France (March 19-20).

The women's field is expected to feature an exciting duel between defending champion Isabella Ochichi of Kenya, coming off an impressive victory at the Crescent City 10K in New Orleans (March 26), and Ethiopian youngster Tirunesh Dibaba, 19, fresh off her double gold medal performance at the World XC Championships.

In the Carlsbad race that has seen 14 world records since its inception, both will pursue the current women's mark of 14:51.

Ochichi won the Crescent City 10K in 30:27, just six seconds off the world record and a full 18 seconds ahead of Paula Radcliffe, the world record holder at that distance. Ochichi also had top five finishes in both the long (5th) and short (3rd) races in France.

In addition to the elite invitational, the Carlsbad 5000 promises a scenic course, healthy competition and a weekend of fun for participants of all ages and skill levels. The popular Junior Carlsbad kids' event, now in its 16th year, is held the day prior, Saturday, April 2. For more information or to register for the races, visit www.eliteracing.com

-- Elite Roster Follows --

2005 Carlsbad 5000

April 3, 2005

Men's Elite Open Field

NAME AGE COUNTRY BEST FACT/COMMENT

Dejene Berhanu 24 ETH 12:54.15 t 1st 03&04 CB5000, 6th & 7th 05 World XC 12K, 4K

Sammy Kipketer 23 KEN 12:52.33 t 1st 00-02 CB5000, WB (13:00) 00&01 CB5000

Dathan Ritzenhein 22 USA 13:27.77 t 1st 05 Reebok XC Challenge (Belfast)

Craig Mottram 24 AUS 12:55.21 t Australian NR Holder 5,000m, 22nd 05 World XC 12K

Juan Luis Nieves 21 MEX DEBUT 1500m PR 3:39.28, 5th 03 Pan Am 1500m

Luke Kipkosgei 29 KEN 12:56.50 t 1st 05 Cross Quest France, Le Mans

Bob Tahri 24 FRA 13:24.05 t 4th 03 IAAF World XC Championships

Shadrack Kosgei 20 KEN 13:12.69 t 10th 05 World XC 4K, 6th 05 Kenyan XC Trials 4K

Boaz Cheboiyo 26 KEN 13:29.77 t 4th 04 CB5000

Jason Hubbard 30 USA 13:37.63 t 1st 04 Mt. SAC 10,000m

Meshack Sang 26 KEN 27:58 4th 04 Eldoret Komora Road Race

Julio Valle 33 MEX 13:33:84 t 02 Mexican National 10,000m Champion

Mohamed Awol 20 ETH 13:12.88 t

Simon Field 25 AUS 28:38

t = track

2005 Women's Elite Open Field

NAME AGE COUNTRY BEST FACT/COMMENT

Isabella Ochichi 24 KEN 14:47.70 t 1st 04 CB5000 (WB14:53), 3rd & 5th '05 World XC

4K, 8K

Tirunesh Dibaba 19 ETH 14:30.88 t Double Gold '05 World XC, 1st 05 Boston Indoor

5,000m (WR 14:32:93), 04 Olympic bronze medalist 5,000m

Sentayehu Ejigu 19 ETH 14:35.18 t 10th 04 Olympic 5,000m, 4th 04 CB5000

Kim Smith 23 NZL 14:50.46(NR) t 3rd 05 Boston Indoor 3,000m, 12th World XC

Champs

Haley McGregor 25 AUS 15:23 2nd 03 Australia National Champion 10K

Meselech Melkamu 19 ETH 15:06.60 t 4th & 6th 05 World XC Championships 4K, 8K

Eloise Wellings 22 NZL 15:18 03 World University Games 5,000m Gold Medalist

Madai Perez 25 MEX 16:01 04 Mexican National 5K Champion

Carrie Messner 27 USA 16:01.95 t 3rd 04 US National Steeplechase

Lisa Aguilera 25 USA 15:50 7th 05 US XC National 4K

Erika Aklufi 28 USA 16:48

t = track

(as of 3/29/05)

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