Strands.com Hi-Lite Meet Draws Nation’s Finest Distance Runners
New York Road Runners to sponsor marquee event, the men’s 5000, for May 29 track meet

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Posted Monday, 24 May, 2010

From Ryan Lamppa, Running USA

CORVALLIS, Ore. – (May 21, 2010) – Some of the nation’s best distance runners will descend on Corvallis on Saturday, May 29 to participate in the first high performance track meet hosted in the city since the Oregon State University men’s and women’s track and cross country programs were cut in 1988. The Strands.com Hi-Lite Meet will host an elite men’s and women’s 800 meters, 1500, 5000 and a men’s 10,000 – in addition to a full slate of community events.

The New York Road Runners is the title sponsor of the men’s 5000 meters. Mary Wittenberg, the president of the NYRR, is proud to be working in conjunction with Strands.com to revive this historic track meet.

“New York Road Runners is very pleased to be working in our first official partnership with Strands as they bring back the Strands.com Hi-Lite meet on May 29,” Wittenberg said. “From Mary Slaney to Steve Prefontaine, the Hi-Lite meet has seen performances from some of the world’s best in its history, and we look forward to working with Strands to help even more athletes meet their goal.”

According to Strands.com Marketing Director and Meet Director Matt Downin, the men’s 5000 meters is expected to be the marquee event.

“We believe that the men’s 5000 meters will be one of the most competitive fields in the country this year,” said Downin. “With the generous support from the New York Road Runners, we will be able to bring in rabbits to help pace the athletes to the USA Track Championships ‘A’ standard.”

The nationals ‘A’ qualifying standard for the 5000 meters is 13 minutes, 30 seconds. Athletes achieving the standard automatically qualify for the USA Outdoor Championships – which will be held in Des Moines, Iowa at Drake Stadium June 23 to June 27.

“We have 18 athletes entered in the 5000 and we think we’ll bring on a few more when other athletes realize that this is an excellent opportunity to run a fast time,” Downin said. “A dozen of the athletes entered have sub-13:50 credentials, and a rabbit has been assigned to bring them through the first 3K at 13:25 to 13:30 pace. It should be an exciting race.”

Standouts in the New York Road Runners 5000 Meters include Jordan Horn (McMillian Elite), Ian Burrell (McMillan Elite), Kyle King (unattached), Jonathan Pierce (Mammoth Track Club), Mike Sayenko (Team Strands.com/Mizuno), Michael Kilburg (Team Strands.com/Mizuno) and Matt Downin (Team Strands.com/Mizuno), among others.

Coaches and athletes interested in racing the 5000 meters or other events should contact Seamus Nally at nally@strands.com.

Community events are slated to begin at 6:30pm. Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in an Open Mile, Boys Middle School Mile, Girls Middle School Mile, Pre-teen 400 Meter Dash, Kids 50 Meter Dash, and Corporate Relay (4 x 400). To register for the community events, visit: www.strands.com/events/strandscom

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