Press Release - Twin Cities Marathon - 10/12/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                 Contact: Jim Estes
                                          LDR Programs Manager
                                          (317) 261-0500 x315
                                          
                                                  

                     Team USA Distance Project Announces 
                   Twin Cities Marathon as Silver Sponsor 

                 
USA Track & Field has announced that the Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) has 
signed on as a charter member of the Team USA Distance Project. TCM, which 
hosted the recent USA Marathon Championships, has signed as a Silver Level 
member for the next five years.

As a Silver Level member, the Twin Cities Marathon will provide financial 
support for the Team USA Distance Project and Team USA training centers 
around the country. 

"We are excited that Twin Cities has stepped up to get this very important 
ball rolling," said USA Track & Field President Bill Roe. "As more events 
around the country realize the importance of developing new American long 
distance running stars, we know that Twin Cities will be the first among 
many. This funding will help us broaden our development program reaching 
from the 5000 meters to the marathon."

A partnership of the Long Distance Running Division of USA Track & Field 
and major U.S. events and running related corporations, the Team USA 
Distance Project is devoted to sustaining the long-term development of 
elite USA distance athletes, enabling them to compete successfully in 
domestic and international competitions and major championship events. Team 
USA Distance Center programs such as Team Running USA, Team USA Minnesota, 
the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project and the Big Sur Distance Project have 
made significant progress toward bolstering the strength of U.S. long 
distance running. The newly expanded program will ensure that they are 
supported through the next quadrennium. 

With the new support of partners such as TCM, the Team USA Distance Project 
will provide yearly funding to the existing network of Team USA Distance 
Centers as well as support athlete and coaching summits leading to major 
international competitions. This partnership will maintain a collective 
commitment to developing athletes through the next Olympiad and beyond.

The current Team USA Distance Centers that will benefit from this support 
are Team USA Minnesota, the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, the Big-Sur 
Distance Project, Team Running USA and ZAP Fitness. Additional centers may 
be named at a later time.

Find more Team USA Distance Project information at: USATF.org




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