Team USA departs for International Chiba Ekiden
Posted Monday, 19 November, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS - Team USA departs for Chiba, Japan today for the 2007 Chiba International Ekiden, to be held this Friday, November 23. In addition to Team USA, the marathon relay will feature teams from Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, France and Great Britain.
Ed Moran (Williamsburg, Va.); Ryan Sheehan (Rochester Hills, Mich.) and Josh Moen (Waterloo, Iowa), all members of last year's third-place men's team, along with 2006 women's team-member Desiree Davila (Rochester Hills, Mich.) will return to Chiba to lead Team USA's combined team.
Other members of the 2007 squad include Melissa White (Rochester Hills, Mich.); Stephanie Rothstein (Eugene, Ore.); Casey Owens (Des Moines, Iowa); and Scott Bauhs (Danville, Calif.).
Now in its 19th year, the format of the race has been revised to feature mixed teams of men and women running six alternating legs totaling 42.195 km as follows: 1st leg, Men 5 km; 2nd leg, Women 5 km; 3rd leg, Men 10 km; 4th leg, Women 5 km; 5th leg, Men 10 km; 6th leg, Women 7.195 km.
Kenya, the defending men's and women's team champions, will be returning this year. Osaka World Championships women's marathon gold medalist Catherine Ndereba will lead the combined team in its attempt for a third straight national victory.
For more information on the Chiba International Ekiden visit www.usatf.org.
Contact:
Jim Estes
Senior Manager of LDR and Marketing
USA Track & Field
317-713-4661
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