Selection for the 2003 Teva US Mountain Running Team Begins on June 7
Top US mountain runners will converge on Northfield, MA and Vail, CO on Saturday, June 7 to vie for a spot on the 2003 Teva US Mountain Running Team.

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Posted Friday, 6 June, 2003

The Teva Mountain Games Spring Runoff in Vail, CO will attract several hundred runners including several current and former members of the Teva US Mountain Running Team. Colorado runners expected to dominate the competition include former and 2003 team members Scott Gall ('97, '99, '00), Simon Gutierrez ('03), Anita Ortiz ('03), Kari DiStefano ('02, '03), Danelle
Ballengee ('96, '97, '99, '01), and Rene Frazee ('00). Colorado athletes hoping to earn a berth on the team include Greg Ausperger, Roger Busch, Josiah Middaugh, and Shelia Geere.

On the opposite side of the country a different group of mountain running specialists will race in the USATF New England Mountain Running Championships in Northfield, MA. Expected to attended the Northfield event are 2002 Teva US Mountain Team members Eric Morse (VT), Paul Low (MA), Dave Dunham (MA), Richard Bolt (NH), Dan Verrington (MA), Julie Bryan (WY), Nikki Kimball (NY) and Suzy West (VT). Paul Low, USATF Mountain Runner of the Year 2002, is the athlete to watch on the men's side. With recent wins at the Merrimack River Trail Race and 7 Sisters Trail race, Low is primed for
victory. Other elite athletes expected to attend Northfield include: Ben Nephew who finished fifth at the 2002 US 50k Trail Running Championships, 2003 National Snowshoe Champion Kelli Lusk (CO) and 2001 US Mountain Team Member Ryan Pauling (NY).

Like the World Mountain Trophy race being held this September in Girdwood, AK, both the Northfield and Vail races use an up and down format that includes over 1500' of climb and descent. The Vail course follows a 6.3-mile course all run at or above 8200' in elevation. Northfield's course is 8.2 miles, all below 1000' in elevation.

The top male and female runner from Vail and Northfield races will earn automatic berths on the 2003 Teva US Mountain Running Team. Those who do not win will have an opportunity to make the team again in Vail, CO at the Vail HillClimb on July 6 or at the final team selection race, the Alyeska
Mountain Race on August 9.

Sponsors of this year's team include Teva and SpecialOps Nutrition. Adam Druckman, Teva Sports Marketing Manager, says "Teva is pleased to introduce two new products in the Spring 2004 trail running line. Both shoes will include design features inspired by the Teva US Mountain Running Team. Teva is also excited to continue its role as title sponsor of the Teva Vail Trail Running Series, which includes the Teva Vail Hill Climb, a selection race for the Teva US Mountain Running Team."

For more information or to submit a running resume please contact: Nancy Hobbs (Women) at trlrunner@aol.com or Richard Bolt (Men) at rbolt@emersonecologics.com

For more information on the mountain running selection races, and our team
sponsors, please visit the websites listed below:
http://www.vailrec.com/adult/running_races/spring_runoff.html
http://www.usatf.com
http://www.usatfne.org/trail/
http://www.teva.com/
http://www.specialopsnutrition.com/news/news_events.html

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