2003 USA Running Circuit

February 8 - November 8, 2003

This year's USA Running Circuit (USARC) - a USA Track & Field road series featuring USA Championships from 5 km to the marathon - was arguably the best edition ever as there were three U.S. and five national championship records set, fast times, exciting and deep competition and over $425,000 earned by U.S. athletes. Below are the highlights:

• With consistent performances, rising star Ryan Shay and veteran Colleen De Reuck won the overall USARC Grand Prix titles and the accompanying $6000. De Reuck also defended her GP crown, while Shay won two U.S. titles - marathon and half-marathon.
• Deena Drossin, Meb Keflezighi and Marla Runyan set U.S. road records at 15 km (47:15) and 20 km (58:57 and 1:05:52) respectively. The most U.S. records set in one USARC season; previous record (1).
• Along with the above, USA Championship records were also set by Chris Graff and De Reuck at 10 miles (47:09) and half-marathon (1:10:00) respectively. Also, the most national championship road records set in one USARC season; previous record (3).
• For the second straight year, Keflezighi captured three U.S. road titles.

Overall, 54 U.S. men and 49 U.S. women scored USARC points, and U.S. athletes took home $412,350 in prize money plus a $25,000 Grand Prix purse for the top three GP scorers ($6000, $4000 and $2500).

At each event, the first ten U.S. runners earned Circuit points (15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1). USARC points were doubled at the USA Marathon Championships.

The USA Running Circuit mission is to showcase, support and promote U.S. runners, and since its inception in 1995, the USARC and its races have provided over $4.2 million dollars to U.S. distance runners. Past USARC Grand Prix champions include Olympians Keith Brantly ('95), Mark Coogan ('96), Rod DeHaven ('98/'00), Colleen De Reuck ('02-03), Libbie Hickman ('99-00), Anne Marie Lauck ('96), Shelly Steely ('98) and Todd Williams ('99).