For Immediate Release:
Nancy Hobbs, Chair
USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council
(719) 573-4405
trlrunner@aol.com
June 7, 2003
Simon Guiterrez and Kari DiStefano Earn Berths on Teva US Mountain Running Team
Vail, CO - With a $6,000 prize purse as enticement, seven former
mountain running team members competed in today's Teva Spring Run Off each hoping to earn
a spot on the 2003 Teva US Mountain Running Team and in the process, receive some cash for
their efforts. But with only two team spots guaranteed (top male and top female), most of
the athletes would have to settle for the chance at an at-large berth on the team and
perhaps an age-group victory.
The challenging 6.3-mile course boasted some long climbs as well as some screamer
downhills. Race Director Mike Ortiz said, "The course is surprisingly dry after all
the moisture we've had. With the condition of the course I'm sure it will boil down to a
mental game - who can go out fast and stay strong through the finish."
Alamosa's Simon Guitterez, a member of last year's mountain team, led from the start and
by mile four held a one-minute lead over his closest competitor 2000 team member and
course-record holder of the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon Matt Carpenter, Manitou
Springs. Running strong on the downhill sections Carpenter was able to close the lead to
within five seconds at the finish line for second place in 44:37.
"It was a tough race. The field was a lot deeper than I had expected and with Matt
breathing down my neck the last few miles, I couldn't relax. I haven't really raced since
Austria (site of the 2002 World Mountain Running Trophy where he finished a distant 121st
after injuring his foot just two miles into the race) and I feel more fit than I did this
time last year. My win here almost makes me forget my (bad) experience at Worlds last
year," said Guitterez.
Scott Gall, who ran to an impressive fifth-place finish at Worlds in 1999, finished in
third followed by Bill Ratter who recently moved to Estes Park with a goal of making this
year's team. Ratter and other top men interested in making the Teva US Mountain Running
Team can do so with a win at the Vail HillClimb on July 6 - the National Mountain Running
Championships, at the final selection race on August 9 in Alaska, or being selected for an
at-large spot by the 15-member USATF Mountain Ultra Trailrunning (MUT) Council.
On the women's side former team members Danelle Ballengee ('96, '97, '99, '01), Laura
Bruess ('97, '98), Rene Frazee ('00) were dominated by Kari DiStefano who made her third
consecutive US team with her win today. "I loved the course. It was custom-made for
me with all the single-track downhill sections. Since I had a disappointing race season so
far this year I had no expectations, so I'm delighted with the win and I'm psyched for
Worlds in Alaska," said DiStefano who crossed the finish line in 53:02.
One of the world's top adventure racers Danelle Ballengee finished second and said,
"This race showed me I need to spend more time running," as she hurried off to
catch a flight to Salt Lake City to compete in an adventure race tomorrow.
Women have two more chances to make the team either at the final selection race or through
selection for an at-large spot by the MUT council. The top male and female finishers at
today's New England USATF Championships also earned automatic berths on the team (winners
unavailable at press time). The team will compete at the World Mountain Running Trophy in
Girdwood, Alaska September 20 and 21.
Gutierrez and DiStefano each earned a $1000 payday and were named USATF Colorado
Association Trail Champions in the first ever association trail championship held in
Colorado. DiStefano at 44-years-old also was named the USATF Colorado Association Masters
Trail Champion. Forty-year-old Bernie Boettcher, Silt, won the men's masters title in
46:29 placing ninth overall.
Additional prize money winners included Ballengee and Carpenter who each won $750, Lisa
Isom (third place female) and Gall with $500 each, and Laura Bruess (fourth woman) and
Bill Ratter earning $250 each.
Race organizer Mike Ortiz was thrilled with the size and quality of the race field. With
more than 250 participants, this year's race far exceeded last year's crowd of 78 runners.
"Being part of the Teva Mountain Games has really made a difference for our event.
Joining kayaking and mountain biking (among other events), trail running has been elevated
to a major sport thanks to Teva."
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