Where Your Dreams Become Reality
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Where Your Dreams Become Reality |
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Olympic Medallists: Meb Keflezighi and Deena
Kastor Join Red-Hot Ryan Hall In Incredibly Strong Fields at 2007 USATF
XC Champs in Boulder The 2007 USATF XC Nationals in Boulder, CO are now officially an event for the ages. The nationals were already shaping up to be a great race as for the first time since 1997, the nationals will crown a single male and single female US long course champion thanks to the IAAF's abolition of short-course cross country. And with the location being in Boulder, it had already been previously announced that most of the top recent Colorado Buffalo stars would be competing. Well now, we are pleased to report, that it has been confirmed that almost everyone who is anyone in US long distance running will be there. LetsRun.com is pleased to report that Olympic medallists Deena Kastor (also a two time world XC silver medallist) and Meb Keflezighi, the two standard bearers of distance running in the US, along with the hottest name in US distance running in newly crowned American Record holder in the half-marathon, Ryan Hall, all are planning on competing. The fields are incredibly stacked and the one champion that emerges definitely will have bragging rights to being the greatest US distance runner on the planet. A Men's Field for the Ages
On the men's side, the 2007 USATF XC Nationals in Boulder, CO has now officially in our mind gone from being a very strong race to being a "must-see" race for the ages featuring virtually every US long distance star possible. It has been confirmed that both 2004 Olympic silver medallist and US 10k record holder - Meb Keflezighi - will compete at the USATF XC Nationals this year in Boulder for the first time since 2003. Additionally, American half-marathon record holder, Ryan Hall, has committed to defending his US cross country title. Prior to Hall's scintillating 59:43 half-marathon on Sunday, his finest professional performance came at last year's US XC Nationals when he destroyed the field to win by 27 seconds. With the additions of Hall and Keflezighi to the field, for the first time ever, Abdi Abdirahman, Alan Culpepper, Adam Goucher, Ryan Hall, Meb Keflezighi, Jorge Torres, and Dathan Ritzenhein will all square off against each other in a single race. A truly sickening collection of distance talent in one race. These guys have never all raced one another, and likely never will again. Between them, these men have won the last 7 US 10k titles on the track, and 7 of the last 8 US XC long course titles since the IAAF implemented the long course/short course. And don't blame Boulder for not being perfect as Bob Kennedy probably would race if he wasn't retired. Throw in 3 NCAA XC titles to their credit, American records at 10k and the half-marathon, and an Olympic silver to boot and you realize you have a sickening, strong field. And we're not done as it would be a crime for us to fail to mention that 2005 world championship team member and 13:15 5k runner Ian Dobson is committed to competing as is 2006 NCAA champ Josh Rohatinsky of BYU. We know there are other big names that will be there as well - we'll keep you updated as the commitments come in. (If you are a big-name are would like to let us know you are planning on running, then feel free to email us). With all of the big names in the field, the race will certainly decide, at least momentarily, who is the greatest distance runner in the US. Top Notch Women's Field As Well
Deena is a well known commodity in Boulder for in addition to being a former Colorado resident, she is also a 3-time winner of the Bolder Boulder Road Race. Based on her past performances both at altitude and in xc, Kastor has to be considered the huge favorite to win USATF XC Nationals this year. Kastor hasn't actually lost a US 8km XC race since finishing 20th at USATF while in college in 1996. However, if Kastor is to win in 2007, she will be have to hold off some stiff challengers who have even stronger ties to Boulder and certainly won't want to lose in their own backyard. 2006 Bolder Boulder champ and Boulder resident, Sara Slattery (2005 NCAA champion at 10k while at Colorado), 2000 NCAA XC Champ while at Colorado, Kara Goucher (31:18 for 10k last year), and Boulder resident Shayne Culpepper (2003 US XC Champ and world 3k bronze medallist) are in the field. Other potential contenders with no ties to Boulder include 2004 US Olympian at 10,000m and Yale graduate Kate O'Neill. Conclusion: Get Your Butt To Boulder Perhaps you are a skeptic and don't believe us when we say that the 2007 USATF XC Nationals are something you won't want to miss. Well if you don't want to believe us, then listen to Colorado coach Mark Wetmore, Top Notch Clinics/Post-Race PartyIn case the loaded fields aren't enough to get you to buy your plane ticket to Boulder, there are some great clinics being held in conjunction with the nationals. And of course, one should never forget the Reebok and LetsRun.com post-race party. Information on the clinics and party can be found below below. All are open to the public. Feb. 7th, 6pm USA Cross Country Championship Parents and Friends Social Boulder Running Company, NW Corner of 28 th and Pearl Refreshments provided by Wild Oats and Avery Brewing Please RSVP Adam Goucher's mom, Lois Ott, at agouchermom1@yahoo.com or phone at 303-258-9377. Feb. 10th, 6pm - Until They Shut Us Down! Book Your Travel Now:
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