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Brandy Erholtz wins Harakiri Run in Austria

Mayrhofen-Austria, 1. August – The second “Harakiri Run” was also the second event of the WMRA Grand Prix 2010 circuit.  Excellent conditions with sunny but not hot weather and dry course announced attack to the course record set at the first edition in 2009.  Ahmet Arslan, 4-times European Champion was the winner in 50:39. Brandy Erholtz, USA, was the women's winner in 1:04:26, over four minutes ahead of her nearest competitor  Michaela MERTOVA of the Czech Republic.

Great Northwest Mountain Run - Mt. Hood

The second race in the 2010 La Sportiva / USATF-Oregon Mountain Running Series took place this past weekend at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood.  The 3rd Annual Great Northwest Mountain Run was put on by Kevin Foreman and his excellent XDog Events crew.  Yassine Diboun (Portland, OR) won the overall race and collected the $100 cash prize from USATF-Oregon.  Complete results will be available soon at: http://www.xdogevents.com/scheduleandresults.html. 

The next race in the series will be the 33rd Annual Mt. Ashland Hillclimb on Saturday, August 7.  Find race information here: http://www.mtashlandrun.com

Pikes Peak Ascent to host WMRA World Long Distance Challenge: Team USA announced

The Pikes Peak Ascent will be held on Saturday, August 21. This year’s race is hosting the 7th WMRA World Long Distance Challenge, an event which brings together athletes from around the globe to compete for team and individual prizes. Last year’s Challenge was held in Austria. Previous hosts included Switzerland, France, and Great Britain. The U.S. also hosted in 2006 with the Pikes Peak Marathon. The event will be hosted in Slovenia in 2011.

Each country participating in the Challenge must designate their team members prior to race day. Teams can include up to five athletes with the top three to score. Team results will be calculated from the aggregate time of the best three athletes in each team. In the event of a tie, the team with the third runner nearest the winner will take precedence. Among the countries expected to compete are Slovenia, England, Scotland, USA, and Australia.

Representing Team USA on the men’s side will be Eric Blake, New Haven, Conn., Rickey Gates, Aspen, Colo., Zac Freundenburg, St. Louis, Mo., Tommy Manning, Colorado Springs, Colo, and Ryan Hafer, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Blake, Gates, and Manning (runner-up at last year’s Ascent) will be representing the U.S. at the World Mountain Running Championships this September in Slovenia. Both Blake and Gates are veterans of the World Mountain Running Championships having competed there four times previously, though neither has raced the Ascent. Freudenberg recently competed in the NACAC Mountain Running Championships for Team USA, is a past member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team (’08, ’09), and has competed in the Ascent with a best finish of fourth place. Even though Hafer has not yet represented USA on a mountain team, he is an accomplished mountain runner having won the Ascent in 2005 and the Barr Trail Mountain Race earlier this month.

The five women on Team USA are all from Colorado, each has been on a past, or is on the current U.S. Mountain Running Team, and all but two have raced the Pikes Peak Ascent.

Brandy Erholtz, Bailey, is a three-time mountain team member (’08, ’09, ’10) and a past winner on the Peak (2008). Megan Kimmel, Silverton, a two-time mountain team member (’08, ’09), and the defending champion at the Ascent, Lisa Goldsmith, Nederland, two-time mountain team member (’97, ’06) and a seven-time finisher at the Ascent including two wins. New on the Peak this year will be Laura Haefli, Del Norte, four-time mountain team member (’04, ’05, ’07, ’08) with a bronze individual medal in 2007, and Kelli Lusk, 2003 mountain team member. Both Haefeli and Lusk have raced and won the Barr Trail Mountain Race which is a precursor to the Ascent.

Nancy Hobbs

Gray, Erholtz win NACAC Mountain Running Titles

Joseph Gray (pictured right) and Brandy Erholtz (pictured left), both of the USA, were victorious at the 7th North American Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Mountain Running Championships on July 9th, 2010. Canadians Taylor Murphy and Ivan Babikov rounded out the podium on the men's side.

American Megan Lund and Canadian Maria Zambrano were the second and third women respectively. The Canadian men narrowly edged out the USA to win the NACAC men's race, while the American women put in a commanding performance to win the NACAC women's race.

In the men's race, the American men led early with the Canadian men close behind. Joseph Gray established an early lead on the first ascent and never looked back, finishing nearly 30 seconds ahead of his closest competitors. The final ascent, the steepest and most demanding terrain on the course, proved decisive for the team finish, with Adrian Lambert passing Brandon Lord in the final 100m to ensure a Canadian victory over the Americans.

In the women's race, the USA team proved too strong for the Canadians, with three of the top four positions being filled by the American women.

The event was held at the Canmore Nordic Centre in Canmore, Alberta, after grizzly bear activity on the Nakiska Ski Resort forced the organizers to make a last-minute course change. The final course was approximately 7.5 km long, with 600m of ascent and 130m of descent.

Full results : http://www.mountainrunning.ca/news.php?id=41

Special thanks to Adrian Lambert (pictured center) from the Canadian Mountain Running Association for hosting the US Mountain Running Team.

2010 Team Member Eric Blake wins at Loon Mountain Race,

Reprinted from the Running Around CT Blog

Mountain runner Eric Blake (recently named the Central CT women's coach) has a good story now for when people ask him, "What's the craziest thing that ever happened to you when you were running?"

Last weekend, Blake was running the second to last race in the New England Mountain Running Series, a 5.5-miler at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. He was in the lead and close to the finish when he came upon a black bear.

Blake wasn't really paying attention at first; neither was the bear.

But then the two spotted each other. Blake, running in 95 degree heat up a punishing incline, just kept on running up the trail - toward the bear.

"It was so hot," he said. "I wasn't thinking straight. You normally would run away."

Instead the bear ran away.

And Blake, who is leading the series, won in 46:32. He has one more race in the series, at Ascutney in Vermont, this weekend.

First Timers Victorious at USA Mountain Running Championships

Pinkham Notch, NH --- The 50^th running of the Mt. Washington Road Race saw two newcomers take top honors at the USA Mountain Running Championships. Chris Siemers, 29, Arvada, CO, crossed the finish line after 7.6 miles at an elevation of 6,288-feet above sea level in a time of 1:00:22. Kristen Price, 28, Raleigh, NC, was the top U.S. woman and USA Mountain Running Champion timed in 1:11:13. Price was outdistanced by 23-year old Ethiopian Shewarge Amars who raced to a course record of 1:08:21 breaking the previous mark of 1:10:08 set by Magdalena Thorsell, Sweden, in 1988.

With their wins, Siemers and Price made the 2010 U.S. Mountain Running Team slated to compete in Kamnik, Slovenia, at the 26^th World Mountain Running Championships on Sunday, September 5. Joining Siemers and Price will be Eric Blake, 31, New Britain, CT, who finished second in 1:00:40, Joseph Gray, 26, Lakewood, WA, third in 1:01:31, Rickey Gates, 29, Woody Creek, CO, fourth in 1:02:34, Max King, 30, Bend, OR, fifth in 1:03:18, and Tommy Manning, 34, Colorado Springs, CO, sixth in 1:03:27.

On the women’s side will be mountain team veterans Brandy Erholtz, 32, Bailey, CO, who finished as second American in 1:11:13. Erholtz represented the U.S. in 2008 and 2009. Nicole Hunt, 40, Deer Lodge, MT, finished as third American setting a new Master’s mark in 1:12:59. Hunt was on the 2006 gold-medal winning team. Megan Lund, 26, Basalt, CO, earned the final spot on the women’s team running 1:13:30.

For a complete list of results visit, www.mountwashingtonroadrace.com. USA Mountain Running Championships results will be available at www.usatf.org. To follow the U.S. Mountain Running Team visit www.twitter.com/USMRT and www.usmrt.com.

U.S. Mountain Running Team to be Selected at Mount Washington

Colorado Springs, CO --- The 2010 U.S. Mountain Running Team will travel to Kamnik, Slovenia, to compete in the 26th World Mountain Running Championships on Sunday, September 5. This year’s open team – six men and four women – will be selected at the U.S. Mountain Running Championships to be held at the Mt. Washington Road Race on Saturday, June 19, starting at 10:00 a.m.

The increased support by the race’s primary sponsor, Northeast Delta Dental, was a contributing factor in choosing a single selection race for the team this year.

“The USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council, when considering a host for our selection races, looks at the venue, the race management, and the support the event will provide for our athletes. Mount Washington not only offers a well-managed event with an incredible history (celebrating its 50th running in 2010), this year organizers and sponsors stepped up to increase the prize money and in doing so have amassed a field of competitors unmatched in U.S. mountain running history,” said USATF’s Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council Chairperson Nancy Hobbs. “Having a single selection race is something new for our program (typically there are 2-3 selection races for the team), and means the athletes have just one opportunity to earn a spot on the team. This opportunity will become a reality for 10 of America’s best on Saturday.”

The course will test runners’ strength and endurance for the entire 7.6 miles from the base of the Auto Road with an unrelenting 12 percent grade to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

The course provides elevation gains which closely mirror those found in Slovenia’s uphill-only route. In Slovenia, the men will run 12 kilometers with more than 4,300 feet of elevation gain, while the women will run 8.5 kilometers with 3,370 feet of elevation gain.

Among the top U.S. competitors on Saturday will be men's and women's defending champions, Coloradoans Rickey Gates of Boulder, and Brandy Erholtz, of Bailey. Gates is only the fifth man ever to break the one-hour barrier on Mt. Washington, having won last year in 59 minutes 58 seconds. Erholtz is looking for her third straight victory and has her sights set on chasing down the women's course record, 1:10:08, set in 1998 by Magdalena Thorsell of Sweden.

Gates, a four-time mountain running team member, is closely matched with at least two familiar rivals, two-time Mt. Washington champion Eric Blake, New Britain, CT who has also been on the mountain team four times, as well as Joe Gray, Lakewood, WA, who finished fourth here in 2008 and then third in 2009, just behind Gates and Blake. Gray has represented the U.S. twice at Worlds and is the 2009 USA Mountain Running Champion. They'll be joined by two-time mountain team members (’08, ’09) Matt Byrne, of Scranton, PA, who was sixth in 2008 and fourth last year at Mt. Washington and Zac Freudenburg, St. Louis, MO, seventh in 2008; Max King, Bend, OR, who won the USA Half Marathon Trail Championships on June 13; Jeffrey Eggleston, Flagstaff, AZ, who ran a 2:14:32 in his debut marathon this year in Phoenix; Malcolm Campbell, Marietta, GA, who won the 2008 Hogpen Hillclimb in Georgia; Timothy Parr, Gunnison, CO, a three-time mountain team member, and Ryan Hafer, Colorado Springs, CO, both past winners of the Pikes Peak Ascent; Luke Watson, State College, PA, a 2:15 marathoner; 2005 mountain team member Kevin Tilton, North Conway, NH; Kristopher Houghton, Albuquerque, NM, a sub-30 minute 10k runner and third at last year’s team selection race in Colorado. One of the newcomers attracting special attention is two-time U.S. Mountain Running junior team member, 19-year-old Zach Rivers, Victor, NY, who will attempt to break the oldest mark in the Mt. Washington books – the course record for runners 19 and under, 1:09:18, set by Sean Livingston in 1987.

Among the top women are four-time mountain team members Laura Haefeli, Del Norte, CO, who finished third at Mt. Washington in 2008 while setting the women's masters course record, and reigning U.S. Mountain Champion Christine Lundy, Sausalito, CA; two-time U.S. Mountain Running team member Megan Kimmel, Silverton, CO; Alison Bryant, Elkin, NC, who finished third in 2007, fifth in 2008 and fourth last year; Nicole Hunt, Deer Lodge, MT, who placed second in her last Mt. Washington appearance (2007 to win the U.S. Championships and earn a spot on the mountain running team) behind the Czech Republic’s Anna Pichrtova; three-time mountain team member Rachel Cuellar, Albuquerque, NM; Kristin Price, Raleigh, NC, who won the 2009 U.S. Women's Trail 10k National Championship; Megan Lund, Basalt, CO, the women's course record-holder in the Aspen (CO) Mountain Uphill, a 2008 U.S. Olympic marathon trials qualifier, and a member of last year’s mountain running team; Gina Lucrezi, Southborough, MA, leader in the USATF New England mountain running series; Amber Moran, a 1:17 half-marathoner from Arden, NC; and Rachel Cieslewicz, Salt Lake City, UT.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ENTRANTS, sortable by name, by state, or by hometown, visit the Mt. Washington Road Race web site, www.mountwashingtonroadrace.com, and click on Lottery Results. The site also includes a photo gallery, a history of the race, results from previous years, and other information.

The U.S. Mountain Running Junior Team will be selected based on running resumes. For details visit www.usatf.org and www.usmrt.com.

Max King and Sopagna Eap win 1/2 Marathon Trail Champs

Max King and Sopagna Eap win first ever USA Trail Half Marathon National Championships in Bend, Oregon

BEND – On a beautiful sunny day with temps in the 60s, hometown favorite Max King of Bend, and Sopagna Eap of Eugene, OR both set new course records at the 9^th annual Dirty Half half marathon, which served as the first ever USA Trail Half Marathon National Championships. USA Track & Field runners from across the country were competing for $3000 in prize money courtesy of Visit Bend (visitbend.com).

"The field was absolutely ripping fast this year. These times are truly incredible on a course like this", said race director "Super" Dave Thomason from Footzone Bend.

“The City of Bend, Visit Bend and the community of Bend where thrilled to host the 1^st ever USA Track & Field Trail Half Marathon. The Dirty Half trail half marathon is a hallmark event for Bend and it showed its true colors once again with unbelievable community support, a challenging course and superb race directing by Dave Thomason. The City of Bend and Visit Bend look forward to bringing more USA Track & Field Trail Running National Championships in future years.”

Early on in the race the lead pack of runners included Max King, Eric Bohn (Flagstaff, AZ), Mario Mendoza (Cambria, CA) and Carlos Trujillo and his twin brother Esteban (Eugene, OR). King finished in 1:11:03, followed by the Trujillo brothers, with Carlos coming in at 1:12:17 and Esteban in 1:14:02. Bohn came in 4^th (1:14:16) and Mendoza finished in 5^th (1:17:20). King earned $700 for the win, with Carlos receiving $400 for second and Esteban $300 for third. First Master and 6^th overall was Paul Parsons of Bend in a time of 1:21:36. Parsons took home $100 for being the top master.

King looks to carry his success to next weekend when he heads to Gorham, New Hampshire for the USA Mountain Running Championships at the 50^th Annual Mount Washington Road Race.

On the women’s side Eap battled with eventual second place finisher and US Olympic Cross Country Ski Team Member, Morgan Arritola (Ketchum, ID) for the first 9 miles until Sopagna surged ahead for the win. Rounding out the women’s top 3 and winning the female masters category was Bend’s very own Lisa Nye, a former winner at the Dirty Half. Eap took home $700 for first overall, with Arritola winning $400 and Nye winning $400 as well ($300 for 3^rd, $100 for 1^st Master).

“ I was really impressed with the trail centric atmosphere here in Bend today. The race had 800 entrants with great amenities. It’s clear to me that Dave and his crew here know what it takes to put on a quality event. As USATF continues its campaign to reach out to more runners in the Mountain, Ultra and Trail community across the country, it was really exciting to see such a great turnout here in Bend today,” noted Paul Kirsch, USATF Mountain/Ultra/Trail Championships Chair and race liason.

USATF will return to Bend on September 25^TH for the USA 50K Trail Championships, with a $3000 prize purse courtesy of Visit Bend.

OrthoLite Joins the American Trail Running Association as the Official Insole

Colorado Springs, CO ----- OrthoLite recently signed on as the official insole of the American Trail Running Association (ATRA). OrthoLite is the world’s leading supplier of open cell foam insoles in the performance footwear category.

“We are thrilled to announce OrthoLite’s corporate sponsorship. OrthoLite has been a dedicated partner of ATRA for three years and this new level of involvement is greatly appreciated by our board of directors and will enable ATRA to further develop programs for our membership,” said Nancy Hobbs, executive director ATRA.

Some of ATRA’s programs include a comprehensive online calendar of national and international trail and mountain running events, a quarterly newsletter entitled Trail Times, e-blasts throughout the year announcing special events and products, and surveys which help ATRA gather demographic information on our sport.

“OrthoLite is excited to serve as the official insole for ATRA,” said Pam Gelsomini, President of OrthoLite. “We have a shared goal of providing an insole product that gives trail runners the comfort and durability they need on all types of terrain.”

OrthoLite headquarters are located in Amherst, MA and their website can be accessed at www.ortholite.com.

For additional information visit the websites listed below:

American Trail Running Association
www.trailrunner.com

OrthoLite
www.ortholite.com

OrthoLite Company Overview: OrthoLite, headquartered in Amherst, MA, is the world’s leading supplier of open cell foam insoles found in more than 100 million shoes each year including, Asics, New Balance, Merrell, Nike, Puma, Adidas, Vans and Timberland. OrthoLite combines polyurethane and recycled rubber to provide superior cushioning, comfort, breathability and durability. OrthoLite was originally founded in 1997 and is a product of O2 Partners LLC.

U.S. Team Announced for 2010 NACAC Mountain Running Championships

Colorado Springs, CO --- Canada will host the seventh North American Central American Caribbean (NACAC) Mountain Running Championship in Canmore, Alberta on Friday, July 9. The Canmore Challenge uphill course at Nakiska Mountain includes approximately 3000 feet of vertical gain over a 12 kilometer route and will act as a tune-up for NACAC teams in preparation for the World Mountain Running Championships to be held in Kamnik, Slovenia, on September 5.

The U.S. hosted the NACAC event in 2004, 2005 & 2009, Mexico hosted in 2006 and 2008, and Canada hosted in 2007. Team USA won men’s and women’s gold medals the first two years, but didn’t compete in 2006. In 2007 Team USA was again victorious in both the men’s and women’s divisions. In 2008 Team Mexico won the men’s competition with Team USA finishing second and Team Canada finishing third. The U.S. women were victorious followed by Mexico and Canada. Team USA won both races in 2009.

“We are looking forward to the NACAC competition in Canada this July. The course at Nakiska will test the speed and strength of the athletes and with Team USA comprised of experienced mountain runners, most with international experience, we’re sure to be in the hunt for gold medals,” said USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council Chairperson and USA Team manager Nancy Hobbs.

“This is certainly a strong squad that we’re bringing to Canada this year and represents the breadth of mountain running in the U.S. with athletes representing seven states. All but one athlete on our U.S. Team has World Championship experience at either the junior or senior level,” added Team Leader Richard Bolt.

The men’s team includes: (age on race date) Brandon Lord, 18, Hixson, TN, Zach Freudenburg, 32, St. Louis, MO, Joseph Gray, 26, Lakewood, WA and Tim Smith, 20, Roanoke, VA. The women’s team includes Christine Lundy, 39, Sausalito, CA, Sarah Wagner, 38, Flagstaff, AZ, Brandy Erholtz, 32, Bailey, CO, and Megan Lund, 26, Basalt, CO. The team was selected based on their finish at the World Mountain Running Championship in 2009. If an athlete declined their spot, members of the 2008 U.S. Team at NACAC were offered spots. Bios of the 2010 team are available upon request.

For additional information on the USA Mountain Running Program visit www.usmrt.com, www.trailrunner.com, and www.usatf.org.

Nancy Hobbs, Chairperson, USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council: (719) 573-4133 trlrunner@aol.com

Joe Gray finishes 10th at Carlsbad 5000

US Mountain Running Team member Joe Gray (Lakewood, WA) finished 10th in 14:38 and was the top American in the Carlsbad 5000 - dubbed the "world's fastest 5k" race.

ELITE MEN (gun times) -
1. Eliud Kipchoge, 25, KEN 13:11 DB $5000
2. Dejene Gebremeskel, 20, ETH 13:18 DB 3500
3. Bekana Daba, 21, ETH 13:24 2000
4. Markos Geneti, 25, ETH 13:35 1000
5. Simon Ndirangu, 24, KEN 13:41 800
6. Alistair Cragg, 29, IRL 13:44 700
7. Juan Luis Barrios, 26, MEX 13:53 500
8. Ali Abdosh, 22, ETH 13:53 400
9. Haron Lagat, 26, KEN 14:01 300
10. Joe Gray, 26, Lakewood, WA 14:38 200

Complete results can be found here:
http://results.active.com/pages/searchform.jsp?rsID=91016

Joe Gray featured in May issue of Running Times

Mountain Runner of the Year and US Mountain Running Team member Joe Gray (Lakewood, WA) has been featured in the May 2010 issue of Running Times magazine. The article titled "Going Up" was written by trail runner Brian Metzler and talks about Joe's road from a 3000m steeplechaser (8:44) to fit but novice mountain runner to world class mountain runner. Joe finished 16th at the 2009 World Mountain Running Championships in Italy will be gunning for a podium finish at the 2010 World Champs to be held in Slovenia this coming September. The May issue of Running Times is on news stands now.

Team member Brandy Erholtz featured in recent news story

Brandy Erholtz (Bailey, Colorado - pictured second from right) has been featured in a news story in the The Journal (International Falls, Minnesota). Brandy won the 2008 Mt. Washington Road Race (USA Mountain Running Championship) and finished 11th in the 2008 World Mountain Running Championships in Switzerland.

Mountain running with a smile on her face
By JIM JOHNSON, Sports Editor

"Brandy Erholtz traveled the rugged road to stardom — literally. A road that takes the shape of a rocky trail filled with large obstacles, sharp elevation changes and treacherous terrain. Altitudes at over 8,000 feet and a training regime that begins before the Boise Inc. overnight shift ends. A road where mountain lions effect training schedules and entire races travel uphill."

Read the complete story here.

Vail Hosts Trail Running Camp with Bart Yasso

From Ellen Miller:


NEW SUMMER TRAIL RUNNING CAMP WITH BART YASSO COMES TO VAIL
- Camp takes place July 18-21, 2010
- Runners of all ages and ability levels invited to participate

VAIL, Colo.—March 30, 2010—Vail-based athlete and trainer, Ellen Miller, announces a new trail running camp for runners interested in learning and training in the spectacular location of Vail, Colorado. The Vail Trail Running Camp with Bart Yasso will take place July 18-21, 2010 and will be open to participants of all ages and ability levels.

This new trail running camp created by Miller is the newest addition to Vail’s line-up of summer activities designed to help participants take their passions to the next level. Participants will be running on a variety of trails and terrain on Vail Mountain, and will be divided into groups according to ability, interest level and speed. A variety of terrain conditions and distances will be offered for each day’s coached trail run.

Bart Yasso will serve as the special guest for the camp. Yasso is the Chief Running Officer of Runner's World magazine and the author of My Life on the Run. He has completed more than 1,000 races, triathlons, biathlons, and eco-challenges over the past 30 years. He has run a majority of American marathons and at least one on all seven continents. In 2007, he was inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions in recognition of his contribution, impact and dedication to the sport.

The certified coaches for the Vail Trail Running Camp are Vail locals including two time Mount Everest summitter Ellen Miller; endurance coach and professional triathlete, Josiah Middaugh; coach and two-time member of the US Mountain Running Team, Lisa Isom; and Masters running coach Dawes Wilson.

Registration for the Vail Trail Running Camp with Bart Yasso includes:
- Three nights’ accommodation at the Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa
- Breakfast at Terra Bistro each day
- Welcome dinner
- Yoga for runners classes
- Nutrition/Mindful eating sessions
- A membership to ATRA (American Trail Running Association)
- Coached trail runs each day with certified coaches
- Educational sessions about topics such as heart rate monitor training, racing, gear, training programs, etc.

Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Trail Action Group (T.A.G.) in Vail, dedicated to preserving and maintaining the trails system in the area. The rate for the camp with accommodations at the Vail Mountain Lodge is $975. The rate for the camp only is $695. Single room lodging, family and group lodging is available.

Participants should possess a level of general fitness for beginning trail running. Participants should be able to run for a minimum of three miles at nine to 10-minute-per-mile pace on the road. During the three day camp, participants will gain the knowledge, technique, confidence and fitness to enjoy the adventure and benefits of trail running.

This camp is operated under a special-use permit issued by the U.S. Forest Service. For more information, please contact Ellen Miller, alpineellen@gmail.com or register for the camp at www.imathlete.com.

Qualifying Information for the 2010 US Mountain Running Team

Looking to qualify for the 2010 US Mountain Running Team? Here's what you need to do:

For the first time in team history, all 10 spots for the US Men's & Women's Mountain running team will be chosen at a single race. That race is the 50th running of the Mount Washington Road Race in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire. The top 6 men and top 4 women at Mt. Washington will make up this year's team. All athletes looking to make the team must be US Citizens and a Member of USA Track & Field to be considered eligible for the team.

Elite athletes who are looking to make the team, should contact Race Director Bob Teschek to see if they can be considered for an elite bypass entry into the Mt. Washington Race. You must still enter the race lottery with an elite bypass to register. Contact Bob via the Mount Washington Race website to be considered for elite bypass.

PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL ELITE ATHLETES: IF YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY BOB TESCHEK, YOU MUST STILL ENTER THE LOTTERY VIA ELITE BYPASS BETWEEN MARCH 1ST AND MARCH 15TH TO ENTER THE RACE.

The US team will then go on to compete at the World Mountain Running Championship in Kamnik, Slovenia on September 5th, 2010.

Junior Athletes: Junior athletes are encouraged to run at Mt. Washington as well. Although there is no guaranteed spot on the team via the race, the race is still an excellent measure of mountain running ability. Junior athletes looking to make the team are encouraged to send a running resume to Team Manager, Paul Kirsch at pkirsch@roadrunner.com

3rd Annual Vail Mountain Winter Uphill

Press Release from Nancy Hobbs:

Vail, Colorado – This Saturday, February 20, runners, skiers, snowshoers, and outdoor enthusiasts will meet at the base of Vail Mountain at the Lionshead Gondola for the start of the third annual Vail Mountain Winter Uphill. At 7:00 a.m. participants will head up the race course which includes 2,000 feet of vertical gain from the 8,000 foot base to the summit of Vail Mountain at Eagle’s Nest at over 10,000 feet. The approximately two mile course is on groomed ski trails.

The event is organized by Vail Valley locals Ellen Miller and Hooker Lowe to honor the memory of Vail’s own Lyndon Ellefson who died in 1998. Ellefson was a foreman on the Eagle Bahn Gondola and was instrumental in starting the U.S. men’s mountain running program and was a member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team which is one of the beneficiaries of race proceeds. The event is also a fundraiser for the Vail Valley Charitable Fund “This is a great way for people to remember Lyndon while participating in an activity that was so special to him,” said co-race director Ellen Miller.

“Through this event, we call all reflect on happy times with Lyndon and keep his memory alive in our hearts,” said Nancy Hobbs, manager of the mountain team and Executive Director of the American Trail Running Association.

The uniqueness of the event is evident in the varied categories of participation. Athletes will “pick their grip” when registering for the event. The categories include Open – running shoes, stabilizers, or snowshoes are permitted; Track Skis – any light weight ski equipment; and Heavy Metal – heavy metal edged skis including telemark gear. Registrants receive a post race party with breakfast at Eagle’s Nest, awards, and prizes. Prizes will be awarded by overall place and category by gender age group including 18 and under, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 plus.

Registration is available now Online at www.imathlete.com, or on race morning until 6:30 a.m. at the Chop House Restaurant located at the base of the Lionshead Gondola. Arrive early to sign the Vail Resorts event waiver in addition to the entry form waiver. Race entry is $35 through February 19 and $40 on race day. The first 100 registrants will receive a copy of the first edition of The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running, by Adam W. Chase and Nancy Hobbs.

Benefiting the Vail Valley Charitable Fund and the US Mountain Running Team

Contact: Ellen Miller, Vail Athletic Club, alpineellen@gmail.com

US Team coach Ellen Miller featured on Outside Magazine blog

Ellen Miller (Vail, CO) has been the women's team coach for the US Mountain Running Team for the past several years. Most people don't know that Ellen is also an experienced mountaineer who has climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest. I caught a peek of Ellen most recently on the Discovery Channel show Everest: Beyond the Limit where she was greeting climbers returning from the summit. Ellen is a good friend of Russell Brice - the owner of Himex and "star" of Everest: Beyond the Limit. You can read more about Ellen on the Outside Magazine blog here. Above is a photo of Ellen and Dave Dunham at the 2009 World Mountain Running Championships.