Dan Lincoln, Jim Sorsenen Headline Pro Mile at US Youth Championships This Weekend in Indianapolis
USATF Communications
July 3, 2007

The event, which is being presented by Finish Line, will showcase some of the top middle distance runners during one of the country's premiere youth events. It also will provide athletes with a domestic competitive opportunity following the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which were held June 21-25 in Indianapolis.

Also expected to compete is Jim Sorensen, 40, who last week broke the masters 40-44 800m outdoor world record running 1:50.34 and also ran 4:05.27 for 1 mile, establishing an American record at that distance. Sorensen will look to become the first athlete over the age of 40 to break four minutes in an outdoor mile. The current outdoor world record for masters 40-44 is 4:02.53. Earlier this year he ran 3:44.06 for 1,500m, which is equivalent to a 4:02 mile.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to showcase some of America's top middle distance runners in a setting that will provide our future stars with a glimpse of just how fast a four-minute mile is," stated Craig Masback, USATF CEO.

Adds Lionel Leach, USATF Youth Athletics Committee Chair, "This is an exciting exhibition event that has been added to the USA Youth Championship schedule. For many of the youth athletes, this will be their chance to watch professionals run for the first time. The addition of Jim Sorensen to the field further displays to our young athletes that our sport is truly one that can be enjoyed for a lifetime."

The USA Youth Outdoor Championships will be held from July 3-8 at the Sports Complex on the campus of Benedictine University in Lisle. The Championships are a national competition with entry based upon qualifying standards for each event and has the same age divisions as the USATF Junior Olympic program. Bantam (10 and under), Midget (11-12), Youth (13-14), Intermediate (15-16) and Young Men/Women (17-18). The Championships are also scored for team championships in all age divisions and are a popular competition for clubs around the country.

USA Track & Field hopes events such as the Pro Men's Mile will create opportunities for elite athletes to connect with future track and field stars. After the race, there will be an autograph session with the athletes.

Athletes who are confirmed to compete in the Pro Men's Mile are:

Daniel Lincoln (Fayetteville, Ark.)

Luke Watson (Stillwater, Minn.)

Mark Fountain (Australia)

Seth Summerside (Fayetteville, Ark.)

Jim Sorensen (San Leandro, Calif.)

Rod Korborsi (Washington, D.C.)

Brad Lowery (Bloomington, Minn.)

Scott Overall (Bloomington, Ind.)

Thom Chorney (Bloomington, Ind.)

Jordan Fife (Bloomington, Ind.)

Hunter Spencer (Indianapolis, Ind.)

Sam Burley (Washington, D.C.)

For more information on the 2007 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships, visit www.usatf.org.

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