In Mason, Ohio on December 8th, 2007
Runners from across the country will gather in Mason, Ohio on December 8th to compete in the ninth annual USATF National Club Cross Country Championships hosted by the Columbus Running Company Mizuno Store Team. Ohio will serve as the host for the first time in USATF's National Club Cross Country Championships history. Home to Paramount's Kings Island amusement park, some of America's best distance runners are certainly in for a roller coaster ride at the Voice of America Park cross country course.

If weather conditions hold to tradition, runners will be in for a treat. Historically, the average temperature in West Chester on December 8th is 36 degrees. And, if last year's NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships, held at the Voice of America Park in mid-November, is any indication of how the course will hold up to the ever changing Midwest weather, then runners and fans will be in for some excitement. Competitors will not only be facing flying elbows from their competitors, but the weather elements that could potentially turn into a mud- fest. Visitors will get the pleasure of viewing the true essence of a cross country race with the addition of hay bales as barriers on the grassy and flat spectator-friendly course.

The 2006 edition of the USATF National Cross Country Club Championships brought a challenge to America's brightest stars. The Golden Gate Park course in San Francisco, CA turned out to be "Mudville 2006: The Battle By the Bay" from rain the night before. This didn't deter competitors as team and individual records were set. Matt Downin, a four-time All- American from the University of Wisconsin, took the individual open men's 10km title in a close finish over former University of Kentucky All-American and current Zap Fitness runner, Thomas Morgan. With the help of Morgan, North Carolina-based Zap Fitness captured the team title over Eugene, OR-based Team XO by 11 points. Amy Hastings, former Arizona State University NCAA Indoor 5,000m champion, handily took the women's open 6km title. Boston Athletic Association squeaked by with the team title over Wisconsin Runner Racing Team by seven points. Their third victory tied the record for the most USATF National Club Cross Country Championship titles.

In the masters races, the home team of the Aggies won the women's 40+ team event, while the Impala Racing Team took the women's 50+ crown. For the men, Front Line Racing brought home the team title in the 40+ age group competition, and Club Northwest earned gold in the men's 50+ division.

This year, Ohio will be well represented in the featured races. Matt Folk, an Olympic Trials marathon qualifier and former Youngstown State University standout, led Team Good River to a fifth place team finish last year with an 11th place individual finish. Host Columbus Running Company Mizuno Store Team will debut with an Olympic Trials marathon qualifying duo of Jim Jurcevich and Josh Ordway. On the women's side Ashland University women's cross country coach Leigh Daniel (44th) and former Rocky River High School standout Anjanette Arabian (73rd) finished as the top Ohio finishers a year ago.

Master's competition from last year featured a tough 1-2 punch from Ohio harriers Rick Wilson (5th) and Ashland University product Robert Juergens (6th), always a threat up front.

Teams will be competing for a prize package that includes a total of $15,000 for the top men's and women's open teams and $4,500 for the top masters teams.

Post-race festivities on race-day evening include an awards ceremony followed by a post-race party with live music. The post-race festivities are free to all registered runners and $10 for non-runners to be held at Kings Island Resort & Conference Center.

For detailed information about the race and post-race festivities please visit: www.usatf.org/events/2007/USATFClubXCChampionshi ps/ For general information and to sign up for the community 6k please visit: www.columbusrunning.com/usatfxc.htm