09-11-2005
Contact:
Jim Estes
LDR Programs Manager
USA Track & Field
317-261-0500 x315
PROVIDENCE - In his road racing debut, Adam Goucher won the USA Men's 5 km Championship, running 13:46.6 to finish third in the open division of the CVS/ Downtown 5 km on Sunday. Former Providence College standout, Amy Rudolph won the USA Women's title as she finished fourth in 15:53.1. Mohamed Amyn of Morocco was the overall men's winner, running 13:43.1 and Olga Kravtsova of Belarus took the women's race in 15:42.2.
A large group of men, including overall winner Amyn and Shadrak Kosgei of Kenya, passed the first mile in a relatively relaxed 4:22, Goucher and fellow U.S. Olympian, Anthony Famiglietti stayed in close touch along with Canadian Paul Morrison.
Shortly before two miles, Kosgei tried to break away but was covered by Amyn, Goucher and Famiglietti as Morrison began to fade. With about 1200 meters to go, Amyn made his move to the front, taking Kosgei with him as Goucher and Famiglietti were left to race for the U. S. title. "I really wanted to get the win outright, but I don't know, I just felt tired," said Goucher. Though Famiglietti didn't appear to be tired, he was uncertain about covering the moves of Kosgei and Amyn. "I felt really strong with about three quarters of a mile to go," said Famiglietti. "But I just hesitated and they got away."
In the women's race, Kravtsova and Alena Samokhvalova of Russia shared the early lead, passing the first mile in 4:58 with two-time champion Marie Davenport in tow. Rudolph and Jenelle Deatherage of Team USA Minnesota, trailed closely until two miles when the Russian duo began to pull away leaving Davenport to finish third. Coming off the final turn, Rudolph and Deatherage kicked for the U.S. title, with the two-time Olympian winning out by .8 seconds. Goucher's wife Kara rounded out the top three in the championship, running 15:57.4 for sixth overall.
The USA 5 km Championship was the seventh race for the men and fifth race for the women on the USA Running Circuit (USARC), a USA Track & Field road series, featuring USA Championships from 5 km to the marathon and attracts the best U.S. distance runners. The eleventh edition for the men and tenth for the women, the 2005 circuit has nine events for men and seven events for women. Abdi Abdirahman leads the men's circuit with 48 points and three-time circuit champion, Colleen DeReuck leads the women's with 34.
The first ten U.S. runners earn points at each USARC race (15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1), with a final $12,500 grand prix purse ($6000, $4000, and $2500) for the top three men and women point scorers overall. The USARC points at the USA Marathon Championships will be doubled.
The mission of the USA Running Circuit is to showcase, support, and promote U.S. runners. Since its inception in 1995, the USARC and its races have provided over $4 million dollars to U.S. distance runners.
For more information on the USA 5 km Championships and the 2005 USARC visit www.usatf.org.
