September 4, 2004

With the success the United States Olympic marathon medallists to inspire them, the twelve member USA Track & Field 100K Team travels to Winschoten the Netherlands to compete in the 2004 International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) 100 km World Cup race on September 11.  The twelve ultra distance runners will compete with teams from countries around the world in the annual IAAF ultradistance championship.  The 100K World Cup race is the one international venue at which USATF has fielded an ultra distance team for over a decade.  Team members were selected by the USATF Mountain/Ultra/Trail (MUT) Running Council that was established in 1998 to help USATF administer ultrarunning in the United States.  

The USATF 100K team has enjoyed success in international competition, bringing home three individual and eight team medals in the last 10 years.  This year's team is hoping to add to that legacy.  "The 2004 team is one of the most diverse and talented we have seen.  Although they are all first-time team members many have extensive international racing experience." says Lorraine Gersitz of the USATF MUT Running Council. "The athletes range in age from 28-43 with a combination of road, mountain, and trail racing backgrounds.  These runners have impressive marathon PRs as well, so they possess that important combination of speed and endurance."  Team Leaders Scott McCoubrey and Jennifer Johnston agree.  "The entire team is very excited about the race and are extremely proud to be representing the United States, " says Johnston.  "This has been a tough situation to work through but we have a very competitive group of athletes who know how to race," adds McCoubrey referring to the challenge mounted against USATF earlier in the year as the American federation representing the sport of ultrarunning in the US.    

The 2005 IAU 100K World Cup Under the Patronage of the IAAF will be held in Lake Saroma Japan on June 26, 2005.  To be considered for the USATF 100K team, runners must be current USATF members and meet qualifying standards.  For profiles of several of the 2004 100K team members click here.  For race day coverage click here.