FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York Road Runners Continues Support of American Athletes Through
USA Distance Project and NYRR Distance Carnival
NYRR announces 2009 contribution of $190,000 to USA Distance Project
Partnering with University of California for NYRR Distance Carnival at
Brutus Hamilton Invitational
New York, March 5, 2009 — New York Road Runners announced today another
significant element of its commitment to long-distance running with its
contribution of $190,000 to the USA Distance Project for this year and its
development of the inaugural NYRR Distance Carnival on Friday, April 24, as
part of the longstanding Brutus Hamilton Invitational at the University of
California.
"Our goal is to get people running worldwide, and to build our sport we
believe American stars are critical in helping to achieve that end goal,"
said Mary Wittenberg, NYRR president and CEO.
Since 2006, NYRR has contributed upwards of $1.5 million directly to U.S.
distance running by funding USA Championships events, USA-only prize money,
and financial support via the USA Distance Project. In that time, more than
$735,000 has gone toward U.S. postcollegiate running through the USA
Distance Project. This year's donation of $190,000 was raised almost
entirely through the NYRR Champion's Circle charity program at last year's
ING New York City Marathon.
The USA Distance Project is an initiative of USA Track & Field to increase
the ranks of competitive long-distance runners with a network of camps to
provide nurturing training environments. Funds will be distributed among
six postcollegiate training groups: the Mammoth Track Club in Mammoth
Lakes, CA; Team USA Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN; Marathon Performance in
Eugene, OR; Tempo Sports in Boulder, CO; McMillan Elite in Flagstaff, AZ;
and ZAP Fitness in Blowing Rock, NC. The money will help support athletes
like Olympians Deena Kastor, Ryan Hall, and Dathan Ritzenhein, and
four-time national champion Katie McGregor, all of whom train with
participating USA Distance Project groups.
"Distance running is extremely difficult. Stars aren't created in a
vacuum," Wittenberg said. "We need to fund and support the development of
athletes in a strategic and holistic way."
NYRR will also partner with the University of California to host the NYRR
Distance Carnival, a first-class opportunity for athletes to attempt
qualifying times for the IAAF World Championships this summer in Berlin.
The NYRR Distance Carnival will include races for postcollegiate men and
women at 5000 meters, 10,000 meters, and the 3000-meter steeplechase. In
addition to assisting with some of the meet logistics, NYRR will also
arrange pacemakers for the seeded heats of the men's and women's 5000- and
10,000-meter races.
New York Road Runners
New York Road Runners, founded in 1958, is dedicated to promoting the sport
of distance running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and responding
to community needs. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards
of 300,000 runners annually, and together with our magazine and website
support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of more
than 100, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City
Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and
cross country events. NYRR's home base in New York, and its lifelong
identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic
status, attracting the world's top professional runners. Our youth programs
provide running to 50,000 schoolchildren in New York City, around the
country, and in South Africa who would otherwise have few or no fitness
opportunities. For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.
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