Colorado Springs, CO —— The renowned ski resort of Steamboat Springs, CO will host the fourth USA 10km Trail Championships on Saturday, June 30, taking the honor away from another ski destination in Colorado – Vail – which hosted the championships for the past three years. Steamboat, referred to as “Ski Town USA” for its 20 athletes who competed at last year’s Winter Olympics, will also host the USA 10km Trail Championships in 2008.

A very competitive field, including defending national champions Laura Haefeli (who has won the champs every year they have been staged) and Clint Wells, will vie for the $5000 in cash prizes and also the chance to earn a spot on the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team. The prize money breakdown is: $900 for first, $700 for second, $400 for third, $200 for fourth, $150 for fifth, $100 for sixth, and $50 for seventh.

“We are expecting about 150 runners and the same number of spectators for our event,” said race director John Chapman. “I’ve really enjoyed connecting with the USATF athletes and learning a bit more about them and their passion for trail running. We’re really making this more than another trail race. With the excellent support from our community, sponsors, and volunteers, this is going to be a celebration of trail running. One very hard run followed by some fun afterwards.”

The course is actually a bit longer than a traditional 10 kilometer race, 7.2miles to be more specific. The route is comprised of two 3.6mi loops with the runners passing the start/finish area between the two loops. There is 1,100′ of climbing per loop translating to 1.65 miles up and 1.95 miles down. The low point on the course is approximately 6,900 feet while the highest point is 7,937 feet. The course is primarily on mountain bike trails - mostly double-track - and service roads.

When asked about the course assistant race director Adam Feerst commented, “The toughest part is the ten switchbacks which climb about ¾ of a mile at 15% grade. The descent is steep, but not that technical. Good downhill runners will have a lot of fun with the descent. Runners will enjoy some nice scenery – if they have the time and energy to enjoy it.”

The top two USATF male runners and top USATF female runner in the championships earn automatic spots on the Mountain Team which will compete at the World Mountain Trophy Race on September 15 in Saillon, Switzerland. They will join Rickey Gates, Paul Low, and Anita Ortiz who earned spots at last weekend’s USA Mountain Running Championships. Traveling to the West Coast on July 15, competitors will enjoy the third and final selection race, the Mt. Tam Trophy Race in Sausalito, CA where the top U.S. male and top U.S. female finisher will receive an automatic team berth. The remaining members of the squad, (one male, one female), will be selected by USATF’s Mountain Ultra Trail Council with input from the team staff based on results at the selection races, past World Trophy events, national and international racing experience including mountain, road, cross country, and track. Athletes MUST run a selection race in order to be considered for the team. To be considered for the team all team members MUST be current USATF members prior to running a selection race.

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