NYRR announces $190,000 contribution to USA Distance Project for 2009; will sponsor April distance meet at Cal Berkeley

3-9-2009

New York Road Runners continues support of American Athletes through USA Distance Project and NYRR Distance Carnival.

New York - New York Road Runners announced today another significant element of its commitment to long-distance running with its contribution of $190,000 to the USA Distance Project for this year and its development of the inaugural NYRR Distance Carnival on Friday, April 24, as part of the longstanding Brutus Hamilton Invitational at the University of California.
 
“Our goal is to get people running worldwide, and to build our sport we believe American stars are critical in helping to achieve that end goal,” said Mary Wittenberg, NYRR president and CEO.
 
Since 2006, NYRR has contributed upwards of $1.5 million directly to U.S. distance running by funding USA Championships events, USA-only prize money, and financial support via the USA Distance Project. In that time, more than $735,000 has gone toward U.S. postcollegiate running through the USA Distance Project. This year’s donation of $190,000 was raised almost entirely through the NYRR Champion’s Circle charity program at last year’s ING New York City Marathon.
 
The USA Distance Project is an initiative of USA Track & Field to increase the ranks of competitive long-distance runners with a network of camps to provide nurturing training environments. Funds will be distributed among six postcollegiate training groups: the Mammoth Track Club in Mammoth Lakes, CA; Team USA Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN; Marathon Performance in Eugene, OR; Tempo Sports in Boulder, CO; McMillan Elite in Flagstaff, AZ; and ZAP Fitness in Blowing Rock, NC. The money will help support athletes like Olympians Deena Kastor, Ryan Hall, and Dathan Ritzenhein, and four-time national champion Katie McGregor, all of whom train with participating USA Distance Project groups.
 
“Distance running is extremely difficult. Stars aren’t created in a vacuum,” Wittenberg said. “We need to fund and support the development of athletes in a strategic and holistic way.”
 
NYRR will also partner with the University of California to host the NYRR Distance Carnival, a first-class opportunity for athletes to attempt qualifying times for the IAAF World Championships this summer in Berlin. The NYRR Distance Carnival will include races for postcollegiate men and women at 5000 meters, 10,000 meters, and the 3000-meter steeplechase. In addition to assisting with some of the meet logistics, NYRR will also arrange pacemakers for the seeded heats of the men’s and women’s 5000- and 10,000-meter races.
 
New York Road Runners
New York Road Runners, founded in 1958, is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and responding to community needs. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually, and together with our magazine and
website support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of more than 100,
assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon, as well as a road race
nearly every weekend plus many track and cross country events. NYRR’s home base in New York, and
its lifelong identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic status, attracting the
world’s top professional runners. Our youth programs provide running to 50,000 schoolchildren in
New York City, around the country, and in South Africa who would otherwise have few or no fitness
opportunities. For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.

For information about the USA Distance Project, or to make a donation to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org.