COLUMBIA, SC - (February 10, 2001) - New U.S. citizen Colleen DeReuck showed why she is one of the world's best road runners with a convincing win at the Carolina 8K, the USA Women's Championship. Under partly cloudy skies and 70 degrees, the long-time Boulder, Colo. resident took control of the noon race from the start as the former South African passed the slightly downhill first mile in 4:45 with the trailing pack--led by Vicki Mitchell, Susannah Beck and Kim Pawelek--14 seconds back.
Over the three lap rectangular course in Ft. Jackson, DeReuck continued to build her lead. With a 21 second advantage at four miles (21:11), victory was virtually assured, and later she cruised home in 26:16. Beck of Eugene, Ore., the 1998 USA 12K champion, finished second in 26:33 with Mitchell and Pawelek third (26:53) and fourth (27:19) respectively.
"I was pleased with my race overall, and it feels great to win a U.S. title. This race was an excellent prep for the Paris Marathon in April," beamed the new USA 8K champion.
For her first major race on U.S. soil as a U.S. citizen, the three-time Olympian earned $4000 as national champion plus an extra $800 as the leader after every mile. In addition, DeReuck, 36, set a U.S. single age 8K record with her 26:16. The top master and 6th overall, Mary Knisely, 41, of Naperville, Ill., also set a U.S. single age record (27:34).
Annette Peters of Eugene, Ore., a race favorite, was unable to get to Columbia due to weather problems during a Chicago stopover. Shelly Steely also was a late scratch due to the flu.
The Carolina 8K also opened the 2001 USA Running Circuit, a USA Track & Field road series. The 2001 USARC, the seventh edition for the men and sixth for the women, offers over $290,000 in prize money plus a $25,000 grand prix purse. All USARC events--six for men and eight for women--are USA Championships. U.S. men open their Circuit at the Gate River Run 15K (joint national championship) in Jacksonville, Florida on March 10.
Per race, the first ten U.S. runners earn points (15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1) with a final $12,500 grand prix purse ($6000, $4000 and $2500) for the top three men and women point scorers overall. At the USA Marathon Championships, USARC points will be doubled.
Carolina 8K: USA Women's Championship
Columbia, SC, February 10, 2001
1) Colleen DeReuck, 36, Boulder, CO 26:16 $4800* 2) Susannah Beck, 32, Eugene, OR 26:33 $2500 3) Vicki Mitchell, 31, Amherst, NY 26:53 $2000 4) Kim Pawelek, 27, Jacksonville, FL 27:19 $1500 5) Betsy Kempter, 34, Chapel Hill, NC 27:27 $1000 6) Mary Knisely, 41, Naperville, IL 27:34 $950# 7) Katie Courtwright, 36, Dallas, TX 27:44 $600 8) Robin Lawhorn, 30, Frankfort, KY 27:58 $500 9) Kim Kauls, 31, Forest Lake, MN 28:18 $400 10) Kristin White, 30, Fayetteville, NY 28:19 $300 11) Amanda Lynch, 23, Kingsport, TN 28:20 $100 12) Michelle LaFleur, 28, Savannah, GA 28:21 $100 13) Emily Nay, 23, Ogden, UT 28:35 $100 14) Janice Addison, 40, Columbia, SC 28:42 $250# 15) Judy Johnson, 23, Atlanta, GA 28:58 $100 *includes mile primes ($200 as each mile leader) #includes masters prize money