FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
          ST. LOUIS – Jan. 26, 2012 – In just two weeks, national titles will be on the line at the USA Cross Country Championships in St. Louis. The Championships take place Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Central Fields in Forest Park. The top runners will represent Team USA in international competition.

On the eve of the race (Friday, Feb. 10), Ryan Hall and Desi Davila, two of the nation’s top runners will be part of the Phase 5 Consulting Elite Athlete Panel Discussion at St. Louis University High School. Hall and Davila will talk about their training, share advice and answer audience questions.

Hall holds the American half marathon record and posted the fastest marathon time ever by an American at the 2011 Boston Marathon.  He finished 10^th in the marathon at the 2008 Olympic Games and will be an American favorite for a medal at the 2012 Olympics.  Hall finished second at the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials earlier this month in Houston.  Davila finished second in the women's race and was the runner-up at last year's Boston Marathon.

The Athlete Panel Discussion is open to the public.  Admission is $10 and includes an all-you-can-eat pasta dinner provided by Onesto Pizza and Trattoria.  Registration is available at www.usacrosscountrychampionships.com or by clicking here.  Tickets will be available at the door for $15. 

HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY RACES:

In addition to the national championship events, organizers are staging two races open to the public: a high school race for 7^th through 12^th graders and a community race for runners of all ages.  Both races are a 4k and will be on the same course that the Championships will be held on later in the day.  Registration is available at www.usacrosscountrychampionships.com or by clicking here. 

USA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE:

Friday, Feb. 10:
6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. – Pre-race pasta dinner sponsored by Onesto Pizza and Trattoria & Phase 5 Consulting Elite Athlete Panel Discussion at St. Louis University High School

Saturday, Feb. 11:
8:30 a.m. – High School Race 4k presented by Saint Louis Injury and Rehab
9 a.m. – Community Race 4k
9:45 a.m. – Michelob Ultra Masters Women's 8k 
10:45 a.m. – Michelob Ultra Masters Men's 8k
11:45 a.m. – Junior Women's 6k
12:30 p.m. – Junior Men's 8k
1:15 p.m. – Open Women's 8k
2 p.m. – Open Men's 12k

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  

Hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission and Big River Running Company, the 2012 USA Cross Country Championships will draw more than 600 athletes to St. Louis, including many of the nation’s elite and Olympic runners.  For more information on the 2012 USA Cross Country Championships, visit www.usacrosscountrychampionships.com.  

MEDIA CREDENTIALS:

Credential requests will be handled via an online application.  To fill out the application, click here.  If you have any questions, please contact Brent Shulman at 314-345-5121 or bshulman@stlsports.org.