August 18, 2015 Contact: John Bysiewicz (203) 710-2391
Eight Olympians Competing in Faxon Law New Haven Road Race
New Haven, CT: The 38th annual Faxon Law New Haven Road Race again hosts the USA Men’s & Women’s 20K Championships. With 8 former U.S. Olympians and 7 past USA 20K Champions, this year’s 20K may have one of the deepest American racing fields in the U.S. this year.
The women’s field should be the best group of women ever to run in New Haven. Providence’s Molly Huddle, a 2012 U.S. Olympian, currently holds the 5K American Record and is reigning USA 20K Champion. The field includes Huddle’s training partner and 2008 U.S. Olympian, Amy Cragg (nee Hastings). Cragg was 2nd in last year’s Faxon Law 20K and represented the U.S. in the 2012 Olympics (10,000 meters). California’s Blake Russell, 2005 20K Champ and 2008 U.S. Olympian, is expected to finish near the top. Michigan’s Desiree Linden is coming off a 4th place finish at the 2015 Boston Marathon and competed for the U.S. in the 2012 Olympics. Georgia’s Janet Cherobon-Bawcom rounds out the elite women’s field. Cherobon-Bawcom competed for the U.S. in the 2012 Olympics (10,000 meters) and won the Faxon Law 20K in 2011.
The men’s field also features a number of top American distance runners. Michigan’s Dathan Ritzenhein heads a deep field. Ritzenhein has run in the last 3 Olympic Games (2004 – 10,000 meters, 2008 – marathon, 2012 – 10,000 meters) and was the top American at this year’s Boston Marathon. University of Wisconsin graduate, Matt Tegenkamp, returns to New Haven after winning the race in 2012 and 2013. Oregon’s Tegenkamp represented the U.S. in the 2008 (5,000 meters) and 2012 Olympics (10,000 meters). Also looking to win this year’s race is 2012 USATF Half Marathon Champion, Abdi Abdiraham. Arizona’s Abdiraham is a four-time U.S. Olympian (2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012) and won the Faxon Law 20K in 2005 and 2011. Last year’s winner, Pennsylvania’s Girma Mecheso, is hoping to defend his title. California’s Brett Gotcher, 2009 Faxon Law New Haven Champ, is also expected to challenge for the top spot.
“We have the most competitive and well-decorated field to race in New Haven,” said John Tolbert, Elite Athlete Coordinator. “With a nice day, the women’s and men’s 20K American Record and New Haven Road Race Course Records could be in jeopardy.”
The Ryan Shay Memorial Award will again be awarded to the top male and female 20K runner. Ryan Shay passed away while participating in the 2007 Olympic Trials Marathon in New York City. The award is in recognition of Ryan’s commitment and dedication to the sport, as well as his longtime support of the New Haven Road Race. Ryan won the USA 20K Championships in 2004 and competed in the event from 2004-2007.
This year’s race awards a prize purse of nearly $45,000 and is held on Labor Day, September 7th on the New Haven Green. The event begins with the Amity Physical Therapy Kids Fun Run at 8:15 a.m. and is followed by the 20K and 5k at 8:40 a.m. A crowd of 7,000 runners is expected to participate in this year’s event. For more information, call (203) 481-5933 or visit newhavenroadrace.org. The Faxon Law New Haven Road Race sponsors include Faxon Law Group, Trailblazer, Amity Physical Therapy, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Southern Connecticut Exercise Science Department, Center for Orthopaedics and the City of New Haven.