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