Olympian Lisa Uhl to Make Competitive Debut in Chicago at 2013 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K
USATF National Club Team 8 km Championships to Feature Country’s Top Teams
March 28, 2013
CHICAGO – The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K today announced that U.S. Olympian Lisa Uhl will lace up her racing shoes for her first competition in Chicago. Uhl, along with fellow Team USA member Dathan Ritzenhein, will lead the way for 40,000 runners in Chicago’s 34th annual kickoff to the running season on Sunday, April 7.
“Lisa is a rising star in the sport, and the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K is a great opportunity for her to test herself on a flat and fast course that is home to the women’s 8K American record,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “Coming from neighboring Iowa, she has trained hard throughout the winter and is ready to ring in the spring racing season along with the rest of the Chicago running community.”
Uhl finished 13th in the 10,000-meters in her first Olympic appearance at the 2012 London Games. She first drew international attention in 2010 by running a NCAA collegiate record and world-leading 10,000m time of 31:18.07 as a senior at Iowa State University. She wrapped up her collegiate career with four national track titles, including a rare 5,000m/10,000m double at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, becoming one of only four athletes to have ever done so.
As a professional, Uhl has run personal bests of 31:12.80 for 10,000-meters and 14:55.74 for 5,000-meters, ranking her sixth and seventh, respectively, on the all-time U.S. list. She is sponsored by Nike and currently resides in Ames, Iowa, where she is a volunteer assistant coach for her alma mater and is coached by Iowa State head coach Corey Ihmels.
“I am extremely excited to hit the roads at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K,” said Uhl. “I have always been in love with the energy of Chicago. Not only am I looking forward to testing my fitness on a fast course, but I am thrilled to be part of such a fun Chicago tradition.”
The 2013 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K will be Uhl’s first competition in Chicago.
USATF National Club Team 8 km Championships to feature country’s top teams
As the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K prepares to host the inaugural USATF National Club Team 8 km Championships in conjunction with the April 7 race, the top USATF-member racing teams from across the country are setting their sights on Chicago. Forty-five elite teams from 10 states will fight for a national title and a share of the $20,000 prize purse. Club members range from competitive post-collegiate athletes to top American runners who continue to pursue their athletic goals with the structural and financial support of registered USATF clubs.
The Hansons-Brooks Distance Project from Rochester Hills, Mich., champions of both the men’s and women’s divisions in 2012, are back to defend their titles. The men’s squad features Bobby Curtis, the 2008 NCAA 5,000-meter champion and 27:24.67 10,000-meter performer. The women’s team is led by marathon specialists Melissa Johnson-White and Dot McMahan, both past top 10 finishers at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
The defending champions will face fierce competition from a host of new and returning clubs. Among the teams making their first appearance in Chicago are the Twin Cities Track Club from Minneapolis, Minn., the Asics Aggies Running Club and Impalas Racing Team from Northern California, Adidas/Team Rogue from Austin, Texas, and the Greater Boston Track Club from Boston, Mass.
Returning teams include men’s two-time champion (2010 and 2011) Wisconsin Runner Racing Team from Racine, Wisc., Naperville Running Company from Naperville, Ill., Playmakers Elite/New Balance from Okemos, Mich., New Balance Silicon Valley from Northern California, Team Nebraska from Omaha, Neb., and Fleet Feet/Nike Racing Team from Chicago.
For a complete list of teams and athletes competing in the USATF National Club Team 8 km Championships, go to www.shamrockshuffle.com/